Scientific Achievement

Researchers in the CUP Program determined that a fractal treatment of operando MRI data provides new understanding of the nonlinear, time-dependent deconstruction kinetics of circular plastics.

Significance and Impact

Approach sheds light on the roles played by network architecture and reaction medium on depolymerization outcomes.

Research Details

  • Compared acidolysis rates for varying crosslink densities of PDK elastomers in different reaction media
  • Parameterized rate laws via fractal analyses
  • Coupled MRI kinetics analyses with operando NMR measurements of relaxometry, diffusion, and tortuosity
  • Provided physical interpretation linking molecular-scale chemistry to macroscopic outcomes of plastic recycling

Publication Details

S.N. Fricke, S. Haber, M. Hua, M. Salgado, B.A. Helms, J.A. Reimer, Science Advances (2024).

DOI:10.1126/sciadv.adl0568

Work was performed in part at both the Molecular Foundry.