Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

Chef_Chantier t1_j1poz3l wrote

Reply to comment by KiwasiGames in Solvents made from plants could replace the petroleum-derived solvents used today in organic solar cells and transistors. Compounds derived from eucalyptus and other plants are formulated into an ink for printing electronic components. by MistWeaver80

We can always use waste ressources, like eucalyptus oil that would be left as waste from the paper pulp industry (eucalyptus is a widely used plant for paper pulp, especially in southern europe where it has completely taken over portuguese tree plantations), or limonene from the citrus juice industry. Not saying it would be enough to replace all use of petroleum-based solvents, but it's a start.

2

berationalhereplz t1_j1roqnq wrote

The percentage of these compounds by mass of the plant is usually very very small, as it is, they are extremely expensive (maybe ~100-1000 times more expensive) to purchase. So to make it economical you would need tons and tons of land and tons and tons of water.

2

Chef_Chantier t1_j1s5t1l wrote

they're not that expensive. limonene is sold by the quart online, and it's more expensive than white spirits, but totally reasonable price for hobbyists or domestic uses.

2