Photocatalytic degradation of polystyrene nanoplastics in water. A methodological study

Photocatalytic Degradation of Microplastic in the Environment

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Researchers reviewed photocatalytic degradation as a promising approach for breaking down microplastics in the environment, finding it may offer advantages over incineration and filtration — though practical challenges around scale and efficiency remain.

Nanotechnology-Enhanced Photocatalysis for Microplastic Degradation: A Sustainable Approach

Photocatalytic-Driven Self-Degradation of Polyester Microplastics Under Solar Light

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"Researchers synthesized a polyester fiber modified with a g-C3N4/TiO2 photocatalyst that can self-degrade under solar illumination, achieving near-complete breakdown into CO2 and water after 400 hours of light exposure. Designing plastics that decompose under sunlight rather than fragmenting into persistent microplastics offers a proactive materials-level strategy to reduce the volume of synthetic polymer pollution entering ecosystems."

Advanced photocatalytic materials for micro/nanoplastic degradation: A comprehensive review

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Tiny plastic particles called micro- and nanoplastics are turning up everywhere, in our oceans, soil, and likely our bodies, raising concerns about long-term health effects. This review rounds up the latest science on using light-activated materials (photocatalysts) to break down these plastic particles, including newer "green" methods made from plants, algae, and bacteria that could make cleanup cheaper and more eco-friendly. While these technologies are still being developed rather than ready for widespread use, they represent a promising direction for tackling plastic pollution at its source.

Towards a Microplastic-Free Ocean: Green Photocatalysis for Mitigation of Micro- and Nanoplastic Marine Pollution

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Researchers examined green photocatalysis as a strategy to degrade micro- and nanoplastics in marine environments, finding that sunlight-driven catalytic reactions can break down plastic particles and potentially reduce their ecological toxicity throughout oceanic food webs.