We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
A thermoanalytical insight into the composition of biodegradable polymers and commercial products by EGA-MS and Py-GC-MS
AI summary Read the abstract
This critical review examined methods for characterizing microplastic fibers in textiles and the environment, assessing the LEITAT protocol for fiber release testing. The review identified standardization gaps in fiber characterization methodology and highlighted the need for harmonized testing approaches to enable comparison of fiber release data across products and studies.
Biodegradable polymers are proposed as a potential solution to environmental problems related to plastic pollution. Potential benefits have been suggested in applications such as agricultural mulching and fishing gear, where there can be considerable difficulty recovering products from the environment at the end of their service life. Biodegradation is a complex process influenced by both the properties of the material and the receiving environment in which it needs to biodegrade. Assessing the degradation process necessitates the chemical composition (i.e. polymer and additives) of biodegradable products to be characterised by reliable analytical methods. Pyrolysis coupled to Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) and Evolved Gas Analysis coupled to Mass Spectrometry (EGA-MS) are emerging techniques to characterise plastic materials, providing a greater sensitivity and resolution when compared to more widely used spectroscopic techniques (FTIR and Raman). In this work, we have applied a systematic approach combining EGA-MS and multi-shot Py-GC-MS for the thermoanalytical investigation of 5 biodegradable polymers and 5 biodegradable-labelled commercial products. We identified thermal degradation profiles, main m/z ions and pyrolysis markers for the polymers PBAT, PBS, PBHV and two types of PLA. We applied the obtained information to investigate the composition of 4 mulch films and 1 fishing net. EGA-MS was fundamental to optimise single or multi shot pyrolysis acquisition, allowing an optimal Py-GC-MS separation and identification of the pyrolysis products. PLA and PBAT were detected in three mulch films, with the addition of starch in a film labelled as Mater-Bi and in one of unknown composition. Online silylation was crucial for detecting polysaccharides in a composite film containing hemp fibres. The presence of butylene, succinate, adipate and terephthalate units was highlighted analysing a fishing net made of a newly developed PBSAT resin. Finally, Py-GC-MS was effective in identifying the presence of additives such as 1,6-diisocyanato-hexane (chain extender) and di(3-butenyl) ester of sebacic acid derived from the plasticizer dibutyl sebacate.
More Papers Like This
Thermal extraction/desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy: A powerful tool for analyzing the degradation and decomposition of polymers
AI summary Read the abstract
This paper describes thermal extraction/desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry as a powerful analytical tool for characterizing plastic polymers by analyzing their thermal degradation products, with applications for identifying microplastic types in environmental samples.
Opportunities to improve polyethylene microparticle analysis by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry
AI summary Read the abstract
This study demonstrates that pyrolysis-GC/MS analysis of polyethylene microplastics is prone to false positives because lipids, saturated fatty acids, and waxes produce identical pyrolysis products to PE, causing software algorithms relying on non-unique qualifier ions to misidentify these materials. The findings call for improved data interpretation protocols and supplementary verification steps to ensure reliable PE detection across environmental matrices.
A Simple Method for Quantification of Polyhydroxybutyrate and Polylactic Acid Micro-Bioplastics in Soils by Evolved Gas Analysis
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a simple thermogravimetry-mass spectrometry method for quantifying poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) and polylactic acid (PLA) micro-bioplastics in soils by measuring specific low-molecular-weight gases evolved during pyrolysis, finding that constant ratios of characteristic pyrolysis products enabled reliable detection above the limit of quantification despite varying soil organic carbon content.
A combined thermodesorption and pyrolysis GC–MS approach reveals fragmentation and depolymerization products during plastic biodegradation
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed an analytical method combining thermodesorption and pyrolysis GC-MS to identify the full range of degradation products when bacteria break down polystyrene (PS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics, detecting both soluble molecules and nano-scale polymer fragments. Understanding the complete spectrum of bacterial biodegradation products is essential for assessing whether microbial plastic degradation truly removes the hazard or simply converts it into different toxic forms.
Investigations into the characterization, degradation, and applications of biodegradable polymers by mass spectrometry
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines how mass spectrometry techniques are being used to study biodegradable polymers, from confirming their chemical structures to tracking how they break down over time. Researchers highlighted advances in analyzing degradation products and assessing whether biodegradable materials truly decompose as intended in different environments. The study underscores that while biodegradable plastics offer promise for reducing pollution, rigorous analytical methods are needed to verify their real-world performance.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.