Upcycled plastic waste-derived carbon dots as efficient ROS generation via sonication-assisted synthesis

Plastic-derived carbon dots for sustainable environmental applications

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Researchers developed a method to convert waste plastic into carbon dots — ultrasmall carbon nanomaterials with tunable photoluminescence and low toxicity — offering a sustainable approach to upcycling non-biodegradable plastic waste for environmental sensing and remediation applications.

Colorimetric and fluorescent probes based on carbon dots: for visual detection of different types of microplastics

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This study applied remote sensing techniques to detect ocean plastic accumulations off the South African coast, using satellite imagery to identify surface plastic concentrations. The research demonstrates the feasibility of satellite-based plastic monitoring in the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean convergence zone.

Fluorescent carbon dot embedded polystyrene particle: an alternative to fluorescently tagged polystyrene for fate of microplastic studies: a preliminary investigation

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Researchers synthesized polystyrene particles with embedded carbon dots to create stable fluorescent microplastic tracers, eliminating the dye-leaching artifacts that plague conventional fluorescently labeled particles used in fate-and-transport studies. This more reliable labeling method will improve the accuracy of laboratory experiments tracking microplastic movement through water, soil, and biological systems.

Efficient Fabrication Process of a Metallic Nano Dot Array on a Plastic Substrate by the Nano-Plastic Forming Assisted Thermal Dewetting Method

Carbon-Based Nanocomposites for Degradation of Microplastic: Current Advances and Future Perspectives

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Researchers reviewed advances in carbon-based nanocomposites — including graphene and carbon nanotubes — as catalysts for degrading microplastics in aquatic environments, finding that their exceptional surface area and tunable chemistry enable efficient adsorption and oxidative breakdown of plastic polymers, though real-world deployment remains in early stages.