Chloe Zhang
Plastic is a man-made material that has become a symbol of the world's litter and solid waste disposal problems. However, molecules of plastic have been found outside of Earth, and some trees on our planet release propylene, a chemical used to make plastic, naturally. Natural plastics are not a complete solution to solid waste problems but may have important applications where biodegradability is needed, such as disposable diapers or fast-food containers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Natural Plastics | Animal horns, tortoiseshell, cellulose, rubber, amber, shellac |
| Natural Polymers | Condensation polymers |
| Synthetic Polymers | Radical ad addition polymers |
| Natural Sources of Propylene | Some trees |
| Natural Plastic Creation | Boil potatoes and use the leftover water |
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What You'll Learn
Natural substances as a base for plastic
Plastic is derived from natural materials such as cellulose, coal, natural gas, salt, and crude oil through a polymerisation or polycondensation process. The raw materials used to produce plastics today are mostly found in the natural world. However, the vast majority of plastic in use today is synthetic because of the ease of manufacturing methods involved in the processing of crude oil.
The word plastic comes from 'plasticus' (Latin for 'capable of moulding') and 'plastikos' (Greek for 'fit for moulding'). Plastics are high molecular weight organic polymers composed of various elements such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, and chlorine. They can also be produced from silicon atoms (known as silicone) along with carbon; a common example is silicone breast implants or silicone hydrogel for optical lenses.
Plastics are made up of polymeric resin, often mixed with other substances called additives. The additives are intended to improve the lifespan, workability, or appearance of the final item. Plasticity is the term used to describe the property of a material that can deform irreversibly without breaking. Plasticity describes whether a polymer would survive the temperature and pressure during the moulding process.
The process of making plastic involves the extraction of raw materials, which are then transformed into useful chemicals including "monomers" (molecules that are the basic building blocks of polymers). In the refining process, crude oil is heated in a furnace and sent to the distillation unit, where heavy crude oil separates into lighter components called fractions. One of these, called naphtha, is crucial to making a large amount of plastic. However, there are other means, such as using gas.
Polymerisation is a process in the petroleum industry where light olefin gases (gasoline) such as ethylene, propylene, and butylene (i.e. monomers) are converted into higher molecular weight hydrocarbons (polymers). Hydrocarbon monomers are linked together by chemical polymerisation mechanisms to produce polymers. This polymerisation process generates thick, viscous substances as resins, which are used to make plastic products.
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Plastic's natural beginnings
Plastic is typically defined as a "non-biological polymer". However, there are a few naturally occurring polymers, such as cellulose, rubber, amber, and shellac. Some examples of natural plastics include animal horns and tortoiseshell.
The production of plastic has its beginnings in nature. Companies harvest crude oil, a naturally occurring fossil fuel, from the earth. This oil (or sometimes natural gas) is then converted through different processes into chemicals that are used to make plastic products.
Some trees release propylene, a chemical that is strung together in long chains to form a plastic called polypropylene. This is a plastic that is commonly used in grocery stores.
In addition, there have been efforts to make plastics appear more "environmentally friendly" by mixing non-degradable basic polymers with small amounts of materials that react to sunlight or microbes in the soil. However, many environmentalists have argued that this only produces smaller pieces of persistent plastic.
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Natural polymers
Our body contains many natural polymers, including nucleic acids, proteins, and enzymes. Proteins are the most basic and versatile type of natural polymer, constituting almost all living organisms. They can also be used as catalysts. Some proteins are enzymes that are essential for various chemical reactions in our body. Other examples of natural polymers include DNA and RNA, which are vital in the life processes of all living organisms.
Natural rubber is a natural polymer made of hydrogen and carbon. It is sticky, not easily manageable, and lacks good properties or durability as it rots. Natural rubber is usually vulcanized, a process that involves heating it in the presence of sulfur to improve its resilience, elasticity, and durability.
Other examples of natural polymers include cellulose, starch, pectin, chitin, and collagen. Cellulose is a natural polymer that is the main structural component of plants. Starch is a condensation polymer of glucose monomers, which further split into water molecules when combined chemically. It is found in grains, cereals, and potatoes. Pectin is a long-chain polymer composed of pectic and pectinic acid molecules, which are sugars, so pectin is called a polysaccharide. It is obtained from citrus peels and apple remains. Collagen is a natural polymer and a protein that makes up the connective tissue present in human skin.
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Plastic made from potatoes
Plastic is typically made from synthetic molecules that are not found in nature, and thus, organisms have not adapted to feed on them. However, it is possible to make plastic from natural sources such as potatoes. This type of plastic is called bioplastic and is made from potato starch. Starch is a polymer, made of long chains of glucose molecules joined together.
To make potato plastic, one needs to mix 60 ml (4 tablespoons) of cold water, 10 grams (about 1 tablespoon) of potato starch, 5 ml (about 1 teaspoon) of acid (vinegar), and 5 ml (about 1 teaspoon) of glycerin. Glycerin is used to adjust the softness and flexibility of the plastic. The mixture should be heated, and it is important to note that the starch plastic resin will be very hot and can burn the skin. The mixture can be dried in a sunny area or in a drying cabinet at 100°C for about 90 minutes. It is important not to let the mixture boil dry as it can "pop" and jump out of the beaker. The resulting plastic can be disposed of in compostable waste.
Potato plastic is an eco-friendly alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics, which require an estimated seven million barrels of petroleum per day to produce. By making plastic from potatoes, we can reduce our reliance on petroleum and take a step towards a more sustainable future.
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Plastic in space
While plastic is typically associated with harmful waste products on Earth, it has been integral to space exploration and technological innovation in space. The Apollo 11 mission, which saw the first humans step foot on the moon, would not have been possible without plastic. Plastic was used in the astronauts' gear, including their helmets and visors, which protected them on their journey. The visors, for example, were made from a plastic shell composed of three eyeshades and two visors. The inner visor was made from ultraviolet-stabilized polycarbonate plastic, while the outer visor filtered light and rejected UV and infrared rays. The astronauts' seats were made from polyurethane-silicone plastic memory foam, which provided comfort and contributed to the spaceship's optimal performance.
Plastic is extremely important for spacecraft due to the weight savings that can be achieved using these materials. Thermoplastics and thermoplastic composites are used for a wide range of applications, including bearings, electrical insulators, optical lens centering rings, and valve and regulator components. The use of plastics in space applications requires careful consideration of the unique space environment. For instance, plastics must be resistant to atomic oxygen and radiation, and they must also have the right flammability characteristics, including compatibility with liquid and gaseous oxygen.
The behaviour of plastics in extreme temperatures associated with launch and space operations is another critical factor. Some plastics, such as DuPont™ Vespel®, exhibit excellent vacuum sealing characteristics and low outgassing behaviour. Certain plastics, like PEEK, filled PTFE, and PCTFE, are specified for cryogenic applications, maintaining ductility and low thermal contraction rates. These materials also have low friction and long wear life at cryogenic temperatures, making them ideal for sliding wear applications.
The advancements in plastic processing have led to pioneering technological innovations in space. For example, in 2019, the first integrated recycler and 3D printer were installed at the International Space Station. This technology transforms plastic products into feedstock, which can then be used to print new products, showcasing the ongoing progress in utilizing plastic in space exploration.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastics have been found to occur naturally in space. Scientists have discovered molecules of plastic, specifically polypropylene, outside of planet Earth. Additionally, some trees on Earth release propylene naturally. However, natural plastics are not a complete solution to the solid waste problem, but they may have niche applications where biodegradability is needed.
Natural plastics can be used in the outer wrappers of disposable diapers or as coatings on fast-food containers due to their biodegradability.
Synthetic plastics are known for their resistance to breakdown by natural processes, contributing to solid waste disposal problems. On the other hand, natural plastics offer biodegradability, which can help address the environmental concerns associated with synthetic plastics.
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