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Non-Wettable Microporous Sheets Using Mixed Polyolefin Waste for Oil–Water Separation
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Not relevant to microplastics — this paper describes manufacturing non-wettable porous sheets from recycled polyethylene and polypropylene waste for oil-water separation, focusing on materials recycling rather than microplastic pollution.
Mixed polyolefin-based waste needs urgent attention to mitigate its negative impact on the environment. The separation of these plastics requires energy-intensive processes due to their similar densities. Additionally, these materials cannot be blended without compatibilizers, as they are inherently incompatible and immiscible. Herein, non-wettable microporous sheets from recycled polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) are presented. The methodology involves the application of phase separation and spin-casting techniques to obtain a bimodal porous structure, facilitating efficient oil-water separation. The resulting sheets have an immediate and equilibrium sorption uptake of 100 and 55 g/g, respectively, due to the presence of micro- and macro-pores, as revealed by SEM. Moreover, sheets possess enhanced crystallinity, as evidenced by XRD; hence, they retain their structure during sorption and desorption and are reusable with 98% efficiency. The anti-wetting properties of the sheets are enhanced by applying a silane coating, ensuring waterless sorption and a contact angle of 140°. These results highlight the importance of implementing sustainable solutions to recycle plastics and mitigate the oil spill problem.
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Thermal conversion of irradiated LLDPE waste into sustainable sponge-like compounds: a novel approach for efficient trace-level oil–water removal
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Not relevant to microplastics — this paper develops a sponge-like material from irradiated waste polyethylene via low-temperature pyrolysis in castor oil, testing it as an adsorbent for cleaning up oil spills and organic solvents.
High-Value Oil–Water Separation Materials Prepared from Waste Polyethylene Terephthalate
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Not relevant to microplastics — this paper describes a method for recycling waste PET plastic into a hydrophobic coating for stainless steel mesh, producing an oil-water separation material with high separation efficiency as a way to repurpose plastic waste.
Sustainable Solution for Plastic Pollution: Upcycling Waste Polypropylene Masks for Effective Oil-Spill Management
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Researchers synthesized an oil-sorbent pouch from waste polypropylene face masks using spin coating to create microporous and fibrous thin films, demonstrating effective oil-spill cleanup performance. Upcycling pandemic waste polypropylene into functional oil-absorbent materials addresses both the surge in mask waste and the environmental problem of plastic-derived microplastics.
The Efficacy of Polypropylene Glazed Felt as a Filtration Medium for Microplastics and Nanoplastics.
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Researchers evaluated polypropylene glazed felt as a low-cost filtration medium for removing microplastics and nanoplastics from water, examining how fiber structure and surface properties influence capture efficiency across a range of particle sizes.
Mechanical Recycling of Polyethylene-Rich Plastic Fraction Recovered from Marine Environment to Mitigate Plastic and Microplastic Pollution
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Researchers explored whether plastics recovered from marine environments — predominantly polyethylene — could be mechanically recycled into usable materials, potentially reducing ongoing plastic and microplastic pollution in the ocean. The study suggests that recovering and reprocessing ocean plastics may offer a practical pathway to limiting further environmental fragmentation.
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.