We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Micro/nano plastics inhibit the formation of barium sulfate scale on metal surface
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used a quartz crystal microbalance to monitor how micro- and nanoplastics affect the formation of mineral scale (barium sulfate) on metal surfaces, finding that plastic particles reduce scale formation rates through surface hydrophobicity and electrostatic repulsion — an unexpected interaction with implications for both plastic pollution research and industrial scale control.
Mineral scale (scale) is the crystalline inorganic precipitate from aqueous solution. Scale formation in pipelines has long been a challenge in various industrial systems. Micro/nano plastics (MNPs) have the potential to strongly influence scale formation process. However, comprehensive studies and mechanistic understanding of the interactions between MNPs and scales remain significantly underexplored. To fill this gap, we firstly adopted quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) technology to monitor the in situ formation of barium sulfate (BaSO) (0.001 M, saturation index 2.5) scale influenced by MNPs on metal surfaces. Microplastic (MP) (5 µm)-loaded surface exhibits hydrophobicity (contact angle > 123.1º), which reduces the rate of scale formation (90.86 ± 11.01 (ng cm min)). Electrostatic repulsion impeded crystal growth while ion adsorption has a limited effect. Experiments on BaSO formation on metal pipes loaded with foam packaging debris were conducted over 30 days, and similar inhibition results were obtained. This study highlights the important role of MNPs in controlling heterogeneous nucleation and crystal growth of scale on metal surfaces, providing valuable insights for both MNPs and scale research.
More Papers Like This
Detection and binding interactions of pharmaceutical contaminants using quartz crystal microbalance - Role of adsorbate structure and surface functional group on adsorption.
AI summary Read the abstract
This study used quartz crystal microbalance measurements to examine how pharmaceutical contaminants adsorb onto microplastic and organic matter surfaces in water, finding that specific chemical interactions between the contaminants and surface functional groups controlled uptake. The results provide mechanistic insight into how microplastics can accumulate pharmaceutical pollutants and potentially deliver them to organisms.
Heterogeneous aggregation of microplastics and mineral particles in aquatic environments: Effects of surface functional groups, pH, and electrolytes
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied how microplastics clump together with soil and rock minerals in water, finding that positively charged minerals bound to plastic particles nearly three times more effectively than clay minerals, and that low pH and calcium ions dramatically accelerated aggregation. Understanding these dynamics helps predict where microplastics will settle or stay suspended in rivers, lakes, and aquifers.
Mineral surface-specific nanoplastic adsorption: Insights from quartz crystal microbalance experiment and molecular modeling simulations
AI summary Read the abstract
This study investigated how nanoplastics stick to mineral surfaces commonly found in soil and water — specifically quartz (SiO2) and alumina (Al2O3) — using both lab experiments and molecular computer simulations. The two minerals behaved oppositely: higher salt concentrations increased nanoplastic deposition on quartz but reduced it on alumina, explained by differences in hydrophobic versus hydrophilic surface interactions. Understanding these mineral-specific adsorption behaviors is important for predicting how nanoplastics move through soils and aquifers and whether they could reach drinking water sources.
How microplastics crosses the buoyancy barrier
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used Colloidal Probe-AFM to study nanoscale interactions between eco-corona-coated microplastic particles and surfaces under varying ionic conditions, finding that natural organic matter coatings substantially alter surface properties and aggregation behavior in ways that can allow buoyant plastics to sink.
Nanoplastic in aqueous environments: The role of chemo-electric properties for nanoplastic-mineral interaction
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied how nanoplastics — plastic particles smaller than 1 micrometer — stick to common soil minerals underground, finding that simple electrical repulsion is less important than chemical bonding, metal ion bridging, and hydrogen bonds. Understanding these interactions is key to predicting how nanoplastics move through soil and contaminate groundwater.
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.