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Complete degradation of polystyrene microplastics through non-thermal plasma-assisted catalytic oxidation
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Researchers developed a two-stage non-thermal plasma system for degrading polystyrene microplastics at low temperatures. Using dielectric barrier discharge plasma coupled with a catalytic oxidation step, they achieved near-complete conversion of polystyrene particles to carbon dioxide within 60 minutes. The study demonstrates a promising technology for breaking down microplastic pollution without requiring high-temperature incineration.
In this study, a two-stage system, involving plasma degradation coupled with plasma-assisted catalytic oxidation, was developed for the degradation of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) at low temperatures. The dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma contributed reactive oxygen species (ROS) for the degradation of PS-MPs, and the plasma-assisted Hopcalite catalyst selectively facilitated the final oxidation of by-products to CO. Within 60 min, the conversion rate of PS-MPs to CO, α(CO), reached an impressive 98.4 %, indicating nearly complete and harmless degradation. It was found that relying solely on the thermal activation induced by plasma heating was insufficient for achieving complete conversion, emphasizing the multifaceted synergy of plasma-catalysis. Subsequently, the cycling experiments revealed that the assistance of plasma enhanced the deactivation resistance and stability of the catalyst. When dealing with PS-MPs at a concentration of 5 wt%, the plasma-assisted Hopcalite still exhibited 93.2 % α(CO) and 99.5 % relative CO content after 10 cycles. Additionally, characterization of the plasma-modified Hopcalite using various techniques suggested an enhancement in surface-adsorbed oxygen species. On the other hand, the packed catalyst improved the uniformity of the discharge plasma, while micro-discharges within the pores could further facilitate the oxidation reaction. This work provides new insights into the comprehensive treatment of MP pollution.
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Efficient degradation of polystyrene microplastic pollutants in soil by dielectric barrier discharge plasma
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Researchers used a plasma-based technique called dielectric barrier discharge to break down polystyrene microplastics in soil and achieved a degradation rate of nearly 99 percent within one hour. The process works by generating reactive oxygen species that chemically decompose the plastic, converting most of it into carbon dioxide. The study presents this technology as a fast and energy-efficient approach for treating microplastic-contaminated soil.
Polystyrene (PS) Degradation Induced by Nanosecond Electric Discharge in Air in Contact with PS/Water
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Researchers assessed the degradation efficiency of polystyrene microplastics by nanosecond electric discharge in air in contact with water, evaluating plasma-based treatment as an alternative to conventional water treatment methods that fail to remove plastics. The study quantified polystyrene degradation and characterized breakdown products under different discharge conditions.
Plasma-assisted destruction of polystyrene nanoplastics
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Researchers developed a plasma-based method to destroy polystyrene nanoplastics in water, achieving a 98.4% removal rate within one hour of treatment. The process breaks the nanoplastics down into very short polymer fragments, and proved more effective than traditional ozone treatment. The study presents a promising new technology for addressing nanoplastic contamination in water purification systems.
Cold plasma-induced fragmentation and surface modification of polystyrene microplastics in aqueous systems
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In lab tests, tiny polystyrene microplastic particles in water were exposed to cold plasma. The treatment broke particles into smaller pieces and changed their surface texture and shape within minutes, rather than fully breaking down the plastic chemically, suggesting potential use as a pretreatment step before further processing.
Degradation of polyethylene microplastics using high-repetition-rate pulsed dielectric barrier discharge plasma in air under mild conditions
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