Bredesen Center alumna Jackie Zheng recently published a paper titled “Tailored glycolysis of Nylon 6 to enable upcycling into high-strength adhesives” in Cell Reports Physical Science, addressing the growing environmental challenge of nylon waste.
Zheng’s research demonstrates a method to break down nylon waste into smaller chemical building blocks that retain some of the nylon’s useful properties. These pieces can then be reacted with epoxies to create a strong, heat-resistant adhesive that bonds to metal, glass, and carbon-fiber composites. The adhesive can be reheated and reused, and at the end of its life it can be broken down again so the materials can be recovered instead of thrown away.
“Because most nylon products are difficult to recycle, they often end up in landfills or the environment,” says Zheng. “This work provides a pathway to convert that waste into a valuable product, reducing plastic pollution and supporting a more sustainable, circular materials economy.”
Zheng collaborated with the Soft Matter Group at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and was advised by Tomonori Saito, ORNL distinguished R&D staff member. For the mechanochemistry portion of the study, he worked with UT-ORII Research Associate Professor Toby Nelson.
Zheng earned his doctorate in energy science and engineering with a focus in entrepreneurship from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Education in summer 2025. He is now a consultant with GEP Worldwide, a global supply chain consulting firm.
Read the full paper here.
