A team of scientists from the University of Groningen and NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands has announced the creation of a bio-based, easily recyclable membrane. The vitrimer (type of polymer) innovation is intended to be a more environmentally friendly alternative, useful in situations of oil spills at sea.
“The membrane is firm enough to filter oil from the water. When sand and algae clog the pores, the membrane can be depolymerized and recreated from the building blocks after the pollutants are removed,” they explain in a statement.
“We are confident that our methods are scalable, both for polymer synthesis and for the production and recycling of the membrane,” they say. The team is now awaiting an industry-level partnership to develop the material.
“The ease with which bio-based SAVER (superamphiphilic vitrimer epoxy resin membranes) can be manufactured, used, recycled and reused without losing value points to new directions in designing a closed-loop superamphiphilic membrane life cycle” they explain, adding that this solution can “play a key role in sustainability efforts around the world.”
