Catalytic process turns polyethylene into adhesive (IMAGE)

University of California - Berkeley

Catalytic process turns polyethylene into adhesive

Caption

Using a catalyst based on ruthenium (gold ball, center), UC Berkeley chemists were able to add specific chemical groups -- in this case, OH (red) - to polyethylene polymer chains, creating an oxidized polyethylene (foreground) that adheres strongly to metal but retains the unique plastic properties of the polymer.

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UC Berkeley image by Liye Chen

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