The researchers found evidence between aspirin and recycled plastic. Let's see what they are

A team of researchers has discovered that the acid hydrolysis of a recycled vinyl polymer induces a chemical breakdown into salicylic acid and acetic acid. These duly treated acids are the components for aspirin.

We are now pervaded every day by NEWS on the pollution of plastic , on the difficulty of recycling all that is produced daily, on the technical difficulties of the mechanical recovery process of the various types of polymers that we find in the products and we hopefully see the new forms of recycling non-mechanics who are studying and testing.

There are polymers that are decidedly difficult to recycle, where the molecular technologies of decomposition of the chemical components can give industrial hopes, to solve the various technical problems that entail such a low percentage of recycling in the world.

The quickest way, according to some current schools of thought, would be to follow the ideologies of the PlasticFree movement , which follows the utopia of living without plastic.

Today, if we look around, we understand that in the short term it seems impossible to replace all plastic products with alternative products that have a sustainable cost and a correct environmental impact. It will certainly be a way forward to avoid the production of disposable plastic products, as plastic is born to last.

Good news comes from Shinshu University , where a researcher has discovered that the acid hydrolysis of a vinyl polymer leads to the formation of salicylic acid and acetic acid , basic components of aspirin, which could, through chemical passages, return to transform the compounds into vinyl polymers.

But what are vinyl polymers?

These polymers are composed of vinyl monomers, in practice they are small molecules created by a double carbon-carbon bond and constitute the second most famous and used family of polymers.

However, recycled vinyl is difficult to use, as it is unstable and difficult to handle industrially, so researchers are studying the mechanisms of various chemical reactions, to understand if they will provide indications for new applications on recyclable vinyl and its applications on an industrial scale.

Automatic translation. We apologize for any inaccuracies. Original article in Italian.