Plant-based material could replace plastics

Using cellulose from trees and a synthetic polymer, MIT researchers have created a material that “is stronger and tougher than some types of bone, and harder than typical Aluminium alloys.

The strongest part of a tree cell walls is made of cellulose, which provides the structure for everything from algae to the towering redwood. Cellulose is strong because it is made from organic polymers arranged in tight crystalline patterns. 

Researchers started by mixing off-the-shelf CNC with a synthetic liquid polymer, getting the ratios right to form a gel. To prevent the nanocrystals from clumping up, they hit them with an ultrasonic probe, breaking them free and allowing them to play nice with the other molecules. 

When the team took a closer look at their cellulose nanocrystals, they found that they were arranged in a brick-and-mortar pattern similar to nacre — that’s the shimmering material you slurp your oyster off of, and what pearls are made from. 

Nacre’s structure helps prevent a crack from being able to run all the way through it; the team found that their new material showed that same resistance to cracking.

Researchers hope their compound could lead to better, more sustainable plastics in the future. And to replace plastics made from fossil fuels.