Cornell University Professor Geoffrey Coates suggested a new approach to the treatment and reuse of plastic.

The specialist is often pointed to the fact that of the nearly 78 million tons of plastic containers, such as two-liter bottles, recyclable subjected to only 2%. About a third of articles “leaks” into the environment, 14% incinerated or disposed of as a fuel, and 40% – is in a landfill. The problem of recycling of polyethylene and polypropylene is a different chemical composition. More precisely, in the absence of an efficient fusion technology materials.

Opening Coates laboratory can solve this problem. Working in conjunction with the University of Minnesota experts, professors team has created a multi-block polymer, a small amount of which allows you to combine polyethylene and polypropylene in a durable material. The study results are described in Science.

Paltry dose tetrablock additives allowed to combine segments of materials for the structure, strength is not inferior to the diblock polymer. Characteristics of the development were tested in experiments with plastic strips. As the adhesive used in the various multi-block polymers. Compounds bonded diblock, easily disintegrated. In the case of a new additive by mechanical action broke the band itself, and no seam location.

“This result was achieved in the past. But I had to add about 10% of a soft material, because of which the original properties deteriorate plastic – Coates explained. – In our case, the proportion of additives is only 1%. We get an array of plastic with excellent performance. ”

Material, according to the authors, can not only improve the refining process, but also lead to a new class of solid polymer blends.