Extracting water from the air? A new method using Lego bricks and CDs can help with this

Researchers at the University of Vienna have developed a method to convert various types of plastic waste into polymer networks capable of absorbing water. This innovative approach addresses the pressing issue of plastic pollution by recycling materials like packaging, CDs, and LEGO bricks into substances that can effectively capture moisture from the air. The process involves treating plastics with sulfuric acid to introduce sulfonic groups, enhancing their water-attracting properties. Successful experiments have demonstrated the transformation of different plastics into these water-absorbing solutions, indicating reduced need for plastic sorting. However, practical implementation faces challenges, including cost reduction and environmental impact assessment. The findings were published in the journal Chem Circularity.