Plastics are one of the largest sources of pollution on Earth, lasting for years on land or in water. But a new type of brilliantly colored cellulose-based plastic detailed in ACS Nano could change that. By adding citric acid and squid ink to a cellulose-based polymer, researchers created a variety of structurally colored plastics that were comparable in strength to traditional plastics, but made from natural biodegradable ingredients and easily recycled using water.



Summary

Researchers have developed a biodegradable, structurally colored plastic using cellulose, citric acid, and squid ink, offering a potential solution to plastic pollution. Detailed in ACS Nano, this new material boasts comparable strength to conventional plastics but is made from natural, biodegradable ingredients. The color comes from its structure rather than dyes. Importantly, the plastic can be easily recycled using just water, addressing the long-term environmental concerns associated with traditional plastics that persist for years in the environment. This innovative approach could significantly reduce plastic waste and its harmful effects.

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