The Photo-Fenton Method Aids Microplastic Degradation: Experimental Findings Highlight Significant Differences Among Plastic Types

This work addresses the critical issue of microplastic pollution, which poses severe environmental and health risks. This paper evaluates the degradation efficacy of Fenton-based methods on three common microplastics (LDPE, PP, and PVC) under varying conditions of acidity, iron concentration, and H~2~O~2~ dosage. Results indicate that Photo-Fenton degradation is highly effective for LDPE, while conventional and Photo-Fenton methods show promising results for PVC, depending on experimental settings. However, PP proves resistant to all Fenton-based treatments, likely due to its stable polymeric structure. These findings suggest that different microplastics respond uniquely to Fenton reactions based on chemical structure and physical properties, highlighting the need for tailored degradation approaches. The study also identifies the potential of Fenton-like methods, which offer advantages in acidic or strongly reductive environments. While Fenton-based methods show potential for LDPE and PVC degradation, their practical application requires consideration of economic viability, safety, and sustainability. This research provides significant insights into optimizing Fenton-based methods for environmental microplastic pollution control and identifies critical gaps in current technologies, offering a scientific basis for future advancements in microplastic degradation strategies.