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Fragmentation and release of pristine and functionalized carbon nanotubes from epoxy-nanocomposites during accelerated weathering
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Researchers studied the degradation of carbon nanotube-reinforced epoxy composites during accelerated weathering, finding that UV exposure causes fragmentation and release of both microplastics and embedded nanoparticles into the environment.
There is an increasing volume of nano-enabled materials in the market. Once composites containing nano-additives are disposed of, weathering could deteriorate their structures, releasing nanoparticles and risking exposure of humans and aquatic organisms. Composite degradation due to environmental aging continues, including structural deterioration resulting in cracking, fragmentation, and release of microplastics and nano-additives to the environment. This research aims to study the degradation and release of initially embedded nanomaterials (NMs) from composites and their toxicity. The molecular interaction of carbon nanotube (CNT)/polymer composites is critical for modifying the polymer properties. This study investigated the interactions of functional multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composites which affect their release during accelerated weathering processes. Different epoxy-MWCNT composites were prepared by filling a polymer with pure MWCNTs and MWCNTs functionalized with acid (-COOH) and amine (-NH2) groups. The physical and chemical changes of aged composites were characterized by gravimetric analysis, contact angle measurements, FTIR, SEM, and laser confocal microscopy. A loss of hydrophobicity was observed for composite surfaces long before surface cracks materialized. Released polymer fragments and nanoparticles were analyzed in wash water using TEM, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. The environmental risks for long-term use of CNT-polymer composites and the influence of fillers on the extent of chemical photodegradation depended on the combination of polymer and fillers. If nanoparticles are released from the matrix, the high surface-to-volume ratio and reactivity of NMs make them highly dynamic in environmental systems. Exposure to these released NMs could negatively affect human health and the environment. This study provides fragmentation and CNT particle release data that could describe how molecular-level interactions between functionalized CNTs and epoxy polymers affect the aging and release of CNTs. A toxicity assessment based on a reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation assay and MTS assay for cell viability and activity of the released polymer and CNT fragments and leachate showed moderate levels of cytotoxicity of released materials as compared to pristine epoxy plates.
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Researchers studied how UV light and elevated temperature break down four common plastics and found that weathering releases nanoscale plastic particles. Polystyrene and polypropylene were particularly susceptible to UV degradation, generating significant numbers of nanoparticles. The findings confirm that environmental conditions actively fragment microplastics into even smaller, potentially more harmful nanoplastics.
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Researchers simulated outdoor weathering of a nanosilica-LDPE composite containing a pro-oxidant additive, quantifying degradation through FTIR, mechanical testing, and electron microscopy, and derived spectral weighting functions that reveal which UV wavelengths most efficiently drive breakdown—raising concern about nanosilica release as a secondary pollution pathway.
Data from: Influence of CNT loading and environmental stressors on leaching of polymer associated chemicals from epoxy and polycarbonate nanocomposites
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Researchers examined how carbon nanotube (CNT) loading levels and environmental stressors influence the leaching of polymer-associated chemicals from epoxy and polycarbonate nanocomposites. The study found that physical and chemical degradation processes can cause these plastic nanocomposites to release potentially hazardous chemical additives into aquatic environments.
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