Papers

Nano- and Micro-SiO2 With Integrated Green Chemistry-Based Superhydrophobic Coating for Robust Antifouling and Anticorrosion Properties

Researchers developed a solvent-free, recyclable superhydrophobic coating using micro- and nano-sized silica particles, achieving water contact angles above 170 degrees. By avoiding fluorinated compounds and synthetic polymers commonly used in coatings, this approach could reduce microplastic and chemical pollution while still providing strong antifouling and anticorrosion protection for surfaces.

An Overview of Photocatalytic Membrane Degradation Development

This review examines photocatalytic membrane reactors, which combine light-activated materials with filtration membranes to break down organic and inorganic contaminants in water and wastewater. Researchers assessed different reactor designs, photocatalyst materials, and membrane configurations for their effectiveness and efficiency. The technology shows promise as an energy-efficient approach to water treatment, though challenges with membrane fouling and long-term stability still need to be addressed.

Highly effective photocatalytic degradation of plastic film (LDPE) using Ruthenium-incorporated g-C3N4 via the Norrish mechanism

Improving Pure Titanium’s Biological and Mechanical Characteristics through ECAP and Micro-Arc Oxidation Processes

Researchers enhanced commercially pure titanium's mechanical and biological properties for biomedical implants using equal-channel angular pressing combined with micro-arc oxidation, improving its feasibility as an alternative to titanium alloys.

Antibacterial Activity and Protection Efficiency of Polyvinyl Butyral Nanofibrous Membrane Containing Thymol Prepared through Vertical Electrospinning

Researchers fabricated polyvinyl butyral nanofibrous membranes containing thymol as a natural antimicrobial agent via electrospinning and demonstrated effective antibacterial activity against common pathogens, proposing the material as a safer, biodegradable alternative to synthetic antimicrobial face masks.

Hydrophilicity-Enhanced NH 2 -MIL-88B(Fe) Integrated Photocatalytic Membrane Reactor for Simultaneous Rejection and Degradation of Low-Density Polyethylene in Water Matrices

Scientists developed a new water filter system that can both trap and break down tiny plastic particles (called microplastics) that contaminate our drinking water. The filter successfully removed 97% of plastic particles and broke down an additional 22% of them using light. This technology could help make our water safer to drink by removing harmful plastic pollution that poses health risks to humans.

Compact Disc-Derived Nanocarbon-Supported Catalysts with Extreme Catalytic Activity

Scientists engineered nanocarbon-metal hybrid catalysts from recycled compact discs, producing silver nanocatalysts with controllable electronic and optical properties that demonstrated extreme catalytic activity for environmental and energy applications at reduced cost.

The impact of mortality salience and explicit self-esteem on plastic reduction intention: A moderated mediation model

Researchers tested whether mortality salience—reminding people of death—combined with self-esteem levels influenced attitudes toward plastic reduction for future generations. High mortality salience increased pro-environmental attitudes in people with high explicit self-esteem but had the opposite effect in those with low self-esteem, suggesting terror management dynamics shape plastic reduction intentions.

Using feral pigeon (Columba livia) to monitor anthropogenic debris in urban areas: a case study in Taiwan’s capital city

Researchers collected gastrointestinal tracts from 46 feral pigeon carcasses in Taipei, Taiwan, and characterized 224 anthropogenic debris items found in them. Polyethylene fibers (20.5%) dominated, followed by anthropogenic cellulose, with 71.9% of debris being fibers and black being the most common color, demonstrating that feral pigeons can be useful bioindicators of terrestrial MP pollution in urban environments.

Effect of SiC Nanoparticles on AZ31 Magnesium Alloy

Silicon carbide nanoparticles were incorporated into AZ31 magnesium alloy to evaluate effects on mechanical properties, finding that nanoparticle addition improved hardness, tensile strength, and wear resistance compared to the unreinforced alloy. The results support SiC-reinforced magnesium as a candidate lightweight structural material for automotive and aerospace applications.

High-selective platinum and palladium capture using polyamide 6: A potent material for platinum group metals’ recovery from spent car catalytic converter

Researchers demonstrated that polyamide 6 — a common microplastic pollutant — can selectively recover platinum and palladium from solution at rates of roughly 90% and 70% respectively without chemical modification, suggesting a dual-purpose approach that recycles a plastic waste material while recovering scarce precious metals from spent catalytic converters.

Understanding Level of Pkk Banjar Purwa Santhi Benoa on Medical Mask Waste Management and Strengthening Health Protocols in Controlling COVID-19 Infection

Researchers assessed community understanding of single-use medical mask waste management in Bali, Indonesia during COVID-19, finding gaps in knowledge that raise concerns about both environmental pollution and continued virus transmission from improper disposal.

Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene Composites with different Reinforced Natural Fibers – A Comparative Study

This is a materials science study comparing the mechanical properties of polypropylene composites reinforced with five different natural plant fibers; it is not a microplastics research paper.

Effect of WS2 Nanotubes on the Mechanical and Wear Behaviors of AZ31 Stir Casted Magnesium Metal Matrix Composites

Researchers developed AZ31 magnesium alloy composites reinforced with tungsten disulfide (WS2) nanotubes using stir casting, finding that WS2 addition improved mechanical and wear properties, relevant to developing lightweight materials with reduced microparticle shedding in engineering applications.

Photocatalytic degradation of polyethylene microplastics by copper-doped titanium dioxide nanoparticles

Researchers investigated photocatalytic degradation of polyethylene microplastics using copper-doped titanium dioxide nanoparticles as an efficient approach to breaking down aquatic plastic pollution, addressing the limitations of conventional removal methods that only achieve surface-level reduction.

Surface Treatment on Physical Properties and Biocompatibility of Orthodontic Power Chains

A surface treatment technique was developed to improve the performance and appearance of orthodontic power chains (dental devices made of polymer). While involving polymer materials, this study is not directly related to environmental microplastics.

Microstructure Evaluation, Quantitative Phase Analysis, Strengthening Mechanism and Influence of Hybrid Reinforcements (β-SiCp, Bi and Sb) on the Collective Mechanical Properties of the AZ91 Magnesium Matrix

This materials science study examined how adding silicon carbide nanoparticles and trace metals affects the mechanical properties of an AZ91 magnesium alloy composite. The research has applications for lightweight structural materials used in automotive and aerospace engineering.

SERS of organic analyte on the filter paper with TiO2 ALD coating and Ag nanoparticles

This study investigated how titanium dioxide coatings of different thicknesses on filter paper substrates affect signal detection when using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy with silver nanoparticles. Optimizing these substrate materials could improve detection sensitivity for trace organic analytes relevant to environmental monitoring and food safety.

Effects of heat treatment on the microstructure and microplastic deformation behavior of SiC particles reinforced AZ61 magnesium metal matrix composite

Enhancement of Mechanical Behaviors and Microstructure Evolution of Nano-Nb2O5/AZ31 Composite Processed via Equal-Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP)

Researchers fabricated AZ31 magnesium alloy nanocomposites reinforced with Nb2O5 nanoparticles (3 and 6 wt%) via stir casting, then processed them through equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP), finding that increasing ECAP passes progressively refined grain size and improved mechanical properties of the composites.