Gamma radiation turns brittle bioplastic into tough hydrogel

New material absorbs water well

Cole Walchle, a Ph.D. student at the University of Queensland's School of Chemical Engineering, developed this gel while experimenting with existing bioplastics. The resulting material is known as P3HB-HEAA and combines sustainable origins with greatly expanded potential for industrial use. Walchle noted that the hydrogel is tougher than the starting materials yet remains particularly good at absorbing water. This new substance addresses the issue where naturally derived plastics are often too brittle to be commercially viable.

Grafting technique changes physical nature

Walchle used grafting techniques to alter the physical nature of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), which is characteristically brittle. He grafted N-Hydroxyethyl acrylamide, a polymer widely used in hydrogel preparation, onto the original PHB using gamma radiation. The research was published in the journal Macromolecular Rapid Communications with a DOI of 10.1002/marc.70453. More study must be conducted to completely grasp how this substance behaves in relation to its capacity for biodegradation.

Potential uses include drug delivery

The gel-like material could have commercial applications in surgical settings and slow-release drug delivery systems. It might also be used in hygiene products or as a specialty coating and lubricant for medical technologies. Walchle stated that if the biodegradability carries over from the original material, it would confirm the method as viable. This project shows how bio-derived polymers can be adjusted to build fresh sustainable items suitable for current use.