RECYCLED PLASTIC BECOMES SUPERGLUE

By tweaking the structure of a common polystyrene plastic, scientists at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory have managed to turn it into a reusable adhesive so strong that a dab of a square centimeter—less than half an inch—holds 300 pounds, or about 136 kg, suspended in air.
The plastic is called polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-polystyrene, or SEBS, and is a common component in toothbrushes, disposable diapers, and a range of everyday items.
The researchers used a technique called dynamic crosslinking, using a form of boron to combine the plastic with silica nanoparticles. The boron allows the cross linked bonds to be formed and broken over and over, making the new adhesive reusable.
When the team tried to mechanically pry and pound apart two surfaces joined by the adhesive, they found its strength surpassed that of any commercially available adhesives they tested.
The new adhesive is one of the toughest materials ever reported, the researchers concluded.
The lab is beginning the process of commercializing the new adhesive.
TRENDPOST: Aside from the obvious industrial benefits, the process also provides another way in which used plastics can be kept out of landfills and the oceans.
As new processes and uses for recycled plastic continue to appear, the next challenge will be to design and implement ways to collect used plastics before they wind up buried in dumps—and educate people to do so.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s new reusable adhesive.
Credit: Oak Ridge National Laboratory