Chemists Unveil Innovative Method to Transform Everyday Plastics

Chemists at the University of Florida have developed a groundbreaking technique to create advanced porous materials from common plastics. This innovative method, revealed on November 4, 2025, transforms everyday materials into versatile solutions that could impact various industries, including electronics, battery manufacturing, and water purification.

The process, described by Brent Sumerlin, Ph.D., a professor of chemistry and the senior author of the report, involves a unique approach of “addition-by-subtraction.” Instead of adding components, the team removes elements from basic plastics, akin to a sculptor chiseling away stone. Sumerlin noted, “We’re sculpting from within by creating pores from inside the material, which I don’t think would be possible by any method.”

These highly porous materials are essential for applications such as battery technology and water filtration. The research team discovered that slight modifications could enable electronics manufacturers to use these materials for high-density electronic or magnetic storage devices. The findings were published in the journal ACS Central Science, showcasing the potential of this new technique.

The origins of this research lie in Sumerlin’s earlier work on breaking down plastics, a crucial step toward improving recycling processes. By identifying the varying temperatures at which different plastics break down, the team realized they could leverage this information to create new materials. In their experiments, they combined the building blocks of Plexiglass and Styrofoam, which typically do not mix well. When heated to the appropriate temperature, the Plexiglass-like components evaporated, leaving behind polystyrene and creating trillions of minuscule pores.

A mere gram of the resulting material boasts a surface area comparable to that of a full-sized tennis court. This impressive surface area is vital for advanced manufacturing processes. Sumerlin explained, “It’s like having a very small mesh in a screen, which is potentially good for purifying wastewater.” The new material also serves as a high-performance membrane, critical for battery function.

The implications of this discovery extend beyond the realm of plastics recycling. With a significant portion of the world’s energy dedicated to separating materials, this novel method may offer a sustainable solution for creating porous filters from readily available plastics. Sumerlin emphasized the broader significance of this research, stating, “This just shows how basic research in one area can inform new applications in a completely different area.”

This technique not only enhances the recycling of plastics but also opens doors to innovative applications across multiple industries. As the team continues to refine their method, the potential benefits could lead to significant advancements in technology and environmental sustainability.