Waste plastics turned into molecular sponges that harvest water from air

Chemists at the University of Vienna converted plastic waste — packaging, old CDs and even LEGO bricks — into water-attracting polymer networks that absorb moisture from air. The material works even in dry climates and releases water under moderate heating such as sunlight; the study appeared in Chem Circularity.

• Feedstock included packaging, old CDs and LEGO bricks
• The sorbent captures moisture even in dry climates
• Water is released under moderate heating, including sunlight
• Findings were published in the journal Chem Circularity