G13 : An Innovative Solution to the Plastic Problem


Students Julia Xu
School HDSB - White Oaks Secondary School - Oakville
Level Intermediate 9/10 - Grade 10
Group Group 8 - Physical and Mathematical
Abstract Plastic products, ones made from polypropylene in particular, are very common in our everyday life, from straws to grocery bags, but they are very difficult to dispose of due to their complicated molecular structure which inhibits natural biodegradation. Oxidation leads to the degradation of polypropylene's strong carbon-carbon bonds, which would make it easier to break down. In this procedure, polypropylene samples were submerged in a solution of iron sulfate and hydrogen peroxide of varying concentrations, which is commonly known as Fenton’s Reagent, to oxidize the samples.