C–H fluoroalkylation tackles plastic waste
Photocatalytic method that upcycles aromatic polymers could breathe new life into rubbish
US scientists have developed a photocatalytic C–H fluoroalkylation approach for functionalising waste plastics. The method generates polymers that retain the favourable thermomechanical properties of the original plastics but with larger surface energies and new functionalities, leading to a variety of potential uses.