We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Spectroscopic investigation of the effects of simulated open waste burning on the functional and surface chemistry of commercial polystyrene
AI summary Read the abstract
Open waste burning of polystyrene at 350–425°C caused chain scission, surface oxidation, and physical fragmentation detectable by XPS, ATR-FTIR, and SEM, generating thermally oxidized plastic with distinct chemical properties compared to other weathering pathways. These findings matter for microplastics research because open burning is a globally prevalent waste disposal practice that accelerates PS fragmentation into microplastic particles with unique surface chemistry and toxicity profiles.
We studied the spectroscopic changes of polystyrene (PS) plastic used for commercial food packaging after thermal oxidation. Thermal oxidation of plastic in the environment occurs during open waste burning (OWB), urban wildfires, and even the serving of hot food. Environmental thermally oxidized plastics are understudied and display unique functional and surface chemistry compared to plastics exposed to other environmental weathering processes. Near-surface X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) C 1s high resolution analyses show an increase in the intensity of peaks greater than 285 eV, corresponding to C/O bonds after burning of PS at 350 and 425 °C. Bulk analyses using Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) Spectroscopy show that thermal oxidation decreased the alkene (3040-3000 cm-1) and alkane (3000-2850 cm-1) C-H stretch signals, suggesting PS chain scission. Morphology defects and fractures were observed in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, indicating that the degradation of PS can lead to fragmentation after burning. The outcome of this study furthers the understanding of the thermal oxidative degradation mechanisms during incineration of commercial PS materials, which can inform future risk assessments of public and environmental health associated with OWB.
More Papers Like This
Surface-dominated photocatalytic degradation of polystyrene microplastics in TiO2/Fe3O4 thin films under UV irradiation
AI summary Read the abstract
Fe₃O₄/TiO₂ composite thin films under UV irradiation drove pronounced surface oxidation of polystyrene microplastics—evidenced by XPS analysis—while limiting bulk chain fragmentation compared to Fe₃O₄ alone. This surface-dominated photocatalytic degradation mechanism advances understanding of how engineered photocatalysts can be designed to break down persistent microplastic contaminants under realistic environmental conditions.
Natural and simulated weathering of polystyrene: A molecular view of the polymeric interface
AI summary Read the abstract
This study used molecular-level analysis to track how surface functional groups on polystyrene change during weathering by ozone, UV radiation, and natural freshwater exposure. Oxidation at the polymer interface was progressive and differed across weathering conditions, with implications for microplastic environmental behavior.
The use of ATR-FTIR to track the degradation of single-use polystyrene cup lids during 24 months of temperate outdoor exposure
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tracked the degradation of polystyrene coffee cup lids over 24 months under four outdoor exposure conditions, finding that surface-exposed lids degraded most rapidly via photooxidation, with carbonyl index increases correlating to seasonal UV irradiance and temperature cycles rather than continuous linear degradation.
Experimental dataset on PS surface modification using peracetic acid: FT-IR and SEM analysis
AI summary Read the abstract
investigates degradation of polystyrene microplastic particles — true microplastics paper
Surface Chemical Analysis of Plastic Materials by X‐Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy: Understanding Weathering, Fragmentation and Contaminant Uptake in Marine Environments
AI summary Read the abstract
This review assesses the application of X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) as a surface characterisation tool for studying plastic fragmentation, weathering, and hazardous contaminant adsorption in marine environments, arguing that surface-level chemical analysis is essential for predicting plastic degradation behaviour. The authors evaluate the current state of XPS applications for understanding the complex surface chemistry that governs how micro- and nanoplastics interact with environmental pollutants.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.