Scientists develop method of using fluorine and hydrogen bonding to upcycle PET bottles
Scientists at East China Normal University have developed a way to use fluorine and hydrogen bonding to upcycle PET bottles into different types of polyester plastics, offering a closed-loop system for recycling plastic waste. The approach involves using polyfluorinated organic acids to disrupt the intermolecular forces between PET chains, making them more susceptible to chemical degradation. While the method is promising more research is needed regarding the use of perfluorinated acids known as “forever chemicals” due to concerns about their persistence and health risks. Read more about using fluorine and hydrogen bonding to upcycle PET bottles.
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