Researchers have converted microplastics into a material harder than diamond, 200 times stronger than steel and five times lighter than aluminium.
The team at James Cook University (JCU) in Queensland ground up plastic bottles into microplastics and then used an Atmospheric Pressure Microwave Plasma synthesis technique to convert the debris to graphene – a carbon material in high demand across several industries.
Dr Adeel Zafar, JCU, said about 30 milligrams of microplastics produced nearly five milligrams of graphene in one minute.
“This production rate is remarkably higher than achieved previously, and offers a simpler, more environmentally friendly alternative to current techniques,” he said.
Zafar said the graphene produced could be used for several applications including the manufacturing of various sensors and water purification, including the absorption of synthetic chemicals.
Despite the demand for recycled graphene, Zafar said the recycling of microplastics faces challenges due to labour-intensive separation processes and high costs, resulting in low resource recovery globally.
“Upcycling, which involves transforming plastic waste into higher-value materials rather than simply breaking it down, has a high demand,” he said.
Mohan Jacob, JCU Professor, said some plastic waste degrades into smaller fragments, often reaching micron sizes.
“These microplastics are notorious for their non-degradable and insoluble nature in water and are a threat to fish and animals and humans,” he said.
“The research not only pioneers a novel approach to graphene synthesis but also contributes to the broader goal of mitigating the adverse effects of microplastic pollution on our ecosystems.”
For more information, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/382944189_Instant_Upcycling_of_Microplastics_into_Graphene_and_Its_Environmental_Application
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