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Thermally-driven polymer degradation in synthetic fabrics: Divergent release dynamics of microplastics and dissolved organic matter during high-temperature disinfection
Summary
Researchers investigated how high-temperature disinfection (85-100 degrees Celsius) degrades synthetic fabrics and releases microplastics and dissolved organic matter. PET fabric was the most susceptible to chemical breakdown, while spandex-nylon blends released the highest mass of microplastic particles due to material incompatibility. The study identifies high-temperature laundering and disinfection as an overlooked source of textile-derived microplastic pollution.
The environmental risks of microplastics (MPs) and dissolved organic matter (DOM) released from synthetic fabrics under high-temperature (HT) disinfection represent a significant knowledge gap. This study systematically investigated the degradation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon (PA6), and spandex-nylon blends (PU-PA6) fabrics under simulated HT disinfection (85-100 °C). Physicochemical changes, MP release dynamics, and DOM leaching characteristics were analyzed using FESEM, FTIR, TOC, UV-Vis, and 3D-EEM spectroscopy. Results revealed severe surface deterioration in all fabrics under prolonged HT exposure, primarily attributable to additive leaching and hydrolysis of ester (PET), urethane (PU-PA6), and amide (PA6) bonds. PET exhibited the highest hydrolysis susceptibility, with carbonyl and hydroxyl indices increasing by 48.07 % and 61.17 %, respectively, after 24 h. PU-PA6 released the highest MP mass (13.05 mg/g) due to phase incompatibility, while PET-derived DOM exhibited enhanced aromaticity and high molecular weight components. DOM fluorescence signatures varied among fabrics: PET-DOM was enriched in aromatic compounds, whereas PU-PA6-DOM was dominated by humic-like substances linked to additive leaching. These findings highlight HT disinfection as a critical yet overlooked source of textile-derived MPs and DOM, urging material-specific mitigation strategies and regulatory policies to minimize environmental risks.