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Quantifying the Fragmentation of Polypropylene upon Exposure to Accelerated Weathering
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Researchers conducted a long-term accelerated weathering study on polypropylene particles with and without processing stabilizers and quantified the fragmentation rates and microplastic formation kinetics, identifying the stabilizers as Irgafos 168 and Irganox 1010 and showing that their presence significantly influenced fragmentation dynamics.
Abstract Polymers are omnipresent in our everyday lives. For specific applications, their properties can be extensively modified by various types of additives, e.g., processing stabilizers, antioxidants, UV-stabilizers, flame retardants, and plasticizers. While several additives are nowadays considered to be toxic or persistent in the environment, quantitative data characterizing plastic fragmentation and microplastic formation have not yet been discussed in detail. Here, we present a long-term, laboratory-controlled accelerated weathering study on polypropylene (PP) particles with and without processing stabilizers. We were able to identify the stabilizers as Irgafos® 168, and Irganox® 1010. For both PP sample sets, we monitored the degradation using a combination of various analytical methods, such as Gel Permeation Chromatography, Particle Size Distributions, Scanning Electron Microscopy, solid-state 13 C Magic-Angle Spinning NMR and liquid-state 1 H, 13 C, 31 P NMR Spectroscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry. The stabilizers prevent degradation by simulated solar radiation for about 350 h. Then, degradation sets in rapidly, leading to an exponential decrease in molecular weight and particle size, accompanied by an increase in crystallinity and the formation of oxygen-containing functional groups. After 3200 h, representing approximately 2 years of outdoor weathering, both PP samples display comparable characteristics and sizes, regardless of the stabilizer initially present. During degradation, an extremely large number of 100000 daughter particles (4 µm) are formed and released from one MP particle of 192 µm diameter. Their physical properties and chemical composition have largely changed, resulting in a very low molecular weight and a hydrophilic character. These particles no longer resemble pristine PP. We thus expect them to be more prone to biodegradation compared to the starting material.
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Quantifying the fragmentation of polypropylene upon exposure to accelerated weathering
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Researchers tracked how polypropylene plastic particles break down under simulated sunlight over 3,200 hours — equivalent to roughly two years outdoors — finding that a single 192-micrometer particle can shed approximately 100,000 smaller daughter particles just 4 micrometers in size. Even plastic stabilizers only delayed this fragmentation by about 350 hours before rapid breakdown and microplastic formation began.
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Researchers measured how quickly polypropylene plastic breaks down into micro and nanoplastics under simulated sunlight over a period equivalent to about 2.7 years outdoors. They found that additives in plastic initially slow fragmentation but that mechanical stress plays a major role in producing microplastics. The study provides valuable data on how everyday plastics generate huge numbers of tiny particles as they weather in the environment.
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