a molecular editing technique for upcycling plastic waste into higher-value materials.<\/a><\/p>\nUpcycling plastic waste explained<\/h3>\n
Unlike traditional recycling methods, which degrade plastic quality over time, ORNL\u2019s approach preserves and enhances the properties of the original material.<\/p>\n
By editing the polymers in discarded plastics, scientists can create new macromolecules with customised properties.<\/p>\n
This process could transform the way we manage plastic waste, unlocking the potential to reuse and repurpose materials in more sustainable and economically viable ways.<\/p>\n
The science behind polymer editing<\/h3>\n
Polymers are long chains of molecules that form the building blocks of plastics. ORNL researchers use advanced chemical techniques to break and reform the bonds within these chains, rearranging the molecular subunits to create new materials.<\/p>\n
Two processes underpin this method:<\/p>\n
\n- Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization:<\/strong> This process opens carbon rings within polymers and extends them into long chains.<\/li>\n
- Cross metathesis:<\/strong> This technique swaps subunits between polymer chains, enabling the creation of new, hybrid materials.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
By employing these methods, scientists can produce plastics with improved strength, flexibility, and heat resistance \u2013 properties tailored to specific applications.<\/p>\n