A pioneering study has advanced the development of self-healing plastics, holding significant promise for applications in food and beverage packaging.
Led by a research team at Bournemouth University, the study introduces specially developed nanomaterials that enable plastic samples to self-repair after sustaining damage, while retaining nearly all their original strength. This breakthrough could greatly contribute to sustainability efforts and help mitigate plastic waste.
The findings, published in the journal Applied Nano Materials, pave the way for a variety of eco-friendly products, especially in sectors reliant on food and beverage packaging.
“We are following the same process as Mother Nature – when you cut your finger, the blood will initially solidify to cover the crack until the skin tissue seals it, and that is what we are doing with our plastics,” said Dr. Amor Abdelkader, Associate Professor in Advanced Materials at Bournemouth University, who spearheaded the study.
Dr. Abdelkader emphasized, “Most of the things in our everyday lives have plastic in them, and this has the potential to extend the life of a whole range of products and reduce waste, from reusable drink bottles to mobile phones to plastic pipes, and so much more.”
To achieve this, Dr. Abdelkader and his team utilized nanosheets of a substance known as MXene, which appears as a powder to the naked eye and serves as a reinforcement agent in industrial applications. Before incorporating MXene into the plastics, the researchers attached chemicals to it, creating a healing agent with glue-like properties.
This healing agent remains dormant, similar to a gel, until the plastic surrounding it is compromised. When exposed to atmospheric humidity, the agent activates, effectively bonding the broken sections together.
“Using MXene with our healing agent means that we get the benefits of stronger plastic, which is harder to break. However, if it does break, it will fix itself. The process takes just a few minutes, and we managed to restore the plastic to ninety-six percent of its original strength,” explained Dr. Chirag Ratwani, who served as the chief scientist on the project while pursuing his PhD at Bournemouth University.
Building on this innovative healing function, the researchers at Bournemouth University are now conducting additional research aimed at designing new devices that can self-repair, thereby increasing their longevity.
“We have tested and designed new sensors for detecting human motion that self-repair after being subjected to damage. Such a concept paves the way for next-generation electronics that require little to no maintenance, ultimately extending their lifespan,” Dr. Abdelkader elaborated.
