New strategy for microplastic degradation: Green photocatalysis using a protein-based porous N-TiO2 semiconductor

Nanotechnology-Enhanced Photocatalysis for Microplastic Degradation: A Sustainable Approach

Photocatalytic Degradation of Macro—and Microplastics Using Titanium Dioxide (TiO₂)

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This review assessed titanium dioxide (TiO2) photocatalysis as a method for degrading macro- and microplastics, finding that UV-activated TiO2 can break polymer chains through reactive oxygen species under controlled conditions. Scalable photocatalytic degradation is a compelling remediation strategy because it can destroy microplastics rather than relocate them, potentially reducing the volume of particles available for human ingestion and environmental accumulation.

Application of nanocomposites based on TiO2 and clay minerals for the photocatalytic degradation of low-density polyethylene microplastics

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Researchers tested TiO2-clay mineral nanocomposites as photocatalysts for degrading low-density polyethylene microplastics under UV-A light, achieving up to 31% mass loss with TiO2-kaolinite under acidic conditions, outperforming bare TiO2 due to an improved optical band gap and enhanced photocatalytic activity.

Sustainable strategies for microplastic waste management: utilizing nickel oxide nanoparticles as photocatalysts

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Researchers synthesized nickel oxide nanoparticles via sol-gel method and demonstrated their photocatalytic degradation of LDPE, PP, PVC, and PET microplastics under sunlight, with NiO/PET nanocomposites achieving approximately 41.64% degradation of PET films in 30 days. Solar-driven photocatalysis using metal oxide nanoparticles offers an eco-friendly and scalable approach to degrading microplastic waste without intensive energy input.

Evaluation of Microplastic Degradation Using Titanium Dioxide Photocatalyst in Water

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Researchers tested UV light and titanium dioxide photocatalysis to break down microplastic fibers in water, achieving a 97% reduction in mass within 48 hours under optimized conditions, suggesting this approach could be a viable treatment technology for wastewater facilities.