Question: Researchers from which of the following institute in India, recently have found a way to make a substitute for single-use plastic?
a) CSIR
b) IISc
c) TIFR
d) None of these
Answer: (b)
Related Facts:-
- Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru (IISc) have found a way to make a substitute for single-use plastic.
- This feat has been achieved by the Researchers from Department of Material Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru (IISc).
- They have found a way to mitigate the problem of accumulating plastic waste in the environment.
- According to a report by Central Pollution Control Board of India, for the year 2018-2019, 3.3 million metric tonnes of plastic waste are generated by Indians.
- The bad news is that this may well be an under-estimation of the problem. Most disturbing aspect is that of all the plastic waste produced in the world, 79% enters the environment.
- Recycling process is still not widespread in the world; only 9% of all plastic waste is recycled.
- Often there can be major harm to aquatic ecosystems by the accumulation of plastic waste.
- Plastic waste is detrimental to the environment and when this waste finds its way into the sea.
- Solution Provided by the Researchers-
- Scientists in Indian Institute of Science developed bio-degradable, leak-proof and non-toxic polymers using non-edible oil and cellulose.
- These polymers can be moulded into sheets having properties suitable for making bags, cutlery or containers.
- Chemical Procedure-
- In the process of making the biodegradable polymer non-edible Castor oil was used.
- It involves allowing them to react with the cellulose and di-isocyanate compound.
- All precursors are mixed in toluene solvent and heated at 80 degree for 8 hours.
- Then the solution mixture is poured in a teflon sheet and allowed the toluene to evaporate.
- After 12 hours, nice polyurethane sheet is obtained because of the crosslink between the functional groups present in the precursors.
- The sheets are then moulded in compression moulding to make the articles such as a bag or pieces of cutlery.