There are alternatives to plastic microbeads for cosmetics, and new degradable photonic pigments have been successfully developed

　　Sinochem New Network News Microplastic pollution, mainly plastic microbeads, has been listed by the United Nations as a major environmental problem alongside global climate change and ozone depletion
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The development of non-toxic and degradable plastic microbead substitutes is an urgent research topic in the industry
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On July 20, the reporter learned from Tianjin University that the school's Song Dongpo research group has successfully developed photonic crystal pigments with beautiful structural colors, which can replace plastic microbeads and synthetic pigments used in cosmetics and toiletries.
The beauty industry has brought disruptive technological innovations
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The technical achievements have been published in the industry authoritative journal "German Applied Chemistry"
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　　The reporter learned that plastic microbeads are often used as fillers, film-forming agents, thickeners and suspending agents in cosmetics and toiletries
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Many products such as toothpaste and facial cleanser used in daily life contain plastic microbeads
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After use, the plastic microbeads contained in these cosmetics and toiletries are discharged into sewage treatment plants through sewers, and finally discharged into rivers and oceans
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After being inhaled by marine organisms, plastic microbeads are likely to re-enter the human food chain and eventually appear on the human table
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China has banned the production of daily chemical products containing plastic microbeads and banned the sale of such products by the end of 2022
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　　Song Dongpo's research group successfully developed photonic crystal pigments with beautiful structural colors using the principle of ordered spontaneous emulsification
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"This new type of photonic pigment has the characteristics of good biosafety and degradability, and can replace the non-degradable plastic microbeads and synthetic pigments used in cosmetics and toiletries
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" Song Dongpo said
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　　According to Song Dongpo, this new photonic pigment is prepared from biodegradable polyester materials such as polylactic acid
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Among them, photon microbeads can replace plastic microbeads, which can exfoliate dead skin, massage skin, and remove wrinkles
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Specifically, it can be used in dyed nail polishes, as a replacement for pigments in make-up products such as eye shadows, or as a UV reflector to replace nano-titanium oxide in sunscreens
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　　In addition, the new photonic pigments also have the advantage of good biosafety
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"After being discharged into the water body, the new photonic pigment will spontaneously degrade into non-toxic lactic acid within a few months, which will not have a negative impact on the aquatic ecosystem, and will largely solve the problem of environmental pollution caused by the use of cosmetics
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"Song Dongpo said
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The research group selected typical aquatic organisms of different trophic levels, such as Escherichia coli, Chlorella pyrenoidea, megaflea and zebrafish, for rigorous environmental safety evaluation
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The evaluation results showed that the new photonic pigments did not show any toxicity and did not cause any adverse effects on the behavior of the above-mentioned organisms
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This proves that such materials can be used as environmentally friendly microbeads and dyes in cosmetics and other industrial products
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　　In particular, the internal nanostructure of this new photonic pigment is an "opal structure", which can form "structural colors" similar to butterfly wings and peacock feathers
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"Structural color" has the characteristics of more beautiful and durable, and can respond to color change.
It can reflect different colors when adjusting the angle of light, so as to produce a color change effect that traditional pigments do not have, and bring people an unusual visual experience when using cosmetics.

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