The new glass is bio-based and made from bio-based amino acids or peptides.
So far, the development of such bio-based eco-friendly glass has been very difficult because the biomolecules possess poor thermal stability and easily decompose at the high temperatures typically used in glass manufacturing.
To overcome this problem, researchers used chemically modified amino acids and peptides to make biomolecular glass with biodegradability and biorecyclability characteristics through the classic “heat-temper” procedure.
Functional properties and ecological characteristics
They then monitored the glass forming capacity, the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters related to the glass transition of the material, as well as the performance of the glass in vitro and in vivo.
They were surprised to find that biomolecular glass based on amino acid derivatives or peptides had a unique combination of functional properties and ecological characteristics, including excellent optical characteristics, good mechanical properties and flexible processability. , as well as biodegradability and biorecyclability.
“The concept of biomolecular glass, beyond commercially used glasses or plastics, can underpin green living technology for a sustainable future,” Xuehai said in the release.
“However, biomolecular glass is currently in the laboratory stage, and far from being commercialized on a large scale.”
