Overview
- The material pairs carboxymethylcellulose with positively charged guanidinium/polyethylenimine-derived ions to form a reversible ionic network.
- Choline chloride acts as a plasticizer, enabling stretchability of about 130% and production of ultrathin films roughly 0.07 mm thick.
- Laboratory demonstrations include flexible bags that fully break down in seawater within hours without visible residue or microplastic formation.
- Researchers describe a closed-loop recycling route using electrolytes, with an optional thin protective coating to delay unintended seawater-triggered disassembly.
- Findings are published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, with the technology at lab scale as the team seeks industrial manufacturing and real-world validation.