Papers

Interactions of Micro- and Nanoplastics with Biomolecules: From Public Health to Protein Corona Effect and Beyond

This review summarizes how micro- and nanoplastics interact with biological molecules in the body, including cell membranes and proteins. These particles can cause membranes to thicken and form pores, and they attract a coating of proteins (called a protein corona) that changes how the body responds to them, potentially increasing inflammation, oxidative stress, and disruption of hormone systems.

Aging of Polystyrene Micro/Nanoplastics Enhances Cephalosporin Phototransformation via Structure-Sensitive Interfacial Hydrogen Bonding

Researchers found that aged polystyrene micro and nanoplastics significantly speed up the breakdown of common antibiotics (cephalosporins) in water when exposed to sunlight. The aged plastic surfaces generate reactive chemicals that attack the antibiotics, and the effect depends on how the antibiotic molecule binds to the plastic surface. This is important because it shows microplastics can actively change the chemical environment around them, potentially affecting how pollutants behave in waterways.

Mechanistic Insights into the Effects of Aged Polystyrene Nanoplastics on the Toxicity of Cadmium to Triticum Aestivum

This study examined how aged polystyrene nanoplastics interact with the heavy metal cadmium to affect wheat plants. Researchers found that the aging process increases the nanoplastics' ability to absorb cadmium, which can alter how the metal is taken up by crops, raising questions about combined contaminant exposure through the food supply.

Mechanism Involved in Polyvinyl Chloride Nanoplastics Induced Anaerobic Granular Sludge Disintegration: Microbial Interaction Energy, EPS Molecular Structure, and Metabolism Functions

Researchers investigated why polyvinyl chloride nanoplastics cause anaerobic granular sludge used in wastewater treatment to break apart. They found that the nanoplastics weakened microbial interactions, altered the structure of key biological compounds, and disrupted metabolic functions essential for sludge stability. The study matters because sludge disintegration reduces wastewater treatment efficiency, potentially allowing more pollutants to enter the environment.

Environmental Impact of Xenobiotic Aromatic Compounds and Their Biodegradation Potential in Comamonas testosteroni

This review describes how Comamonas testosteroni bacteria can biodegrade xenobiotic aromatic compounds found in plastics, pesticides, and antibiotics. Researchers summarized the metabolic pathways these microorganisms use to break down environmental pollutants, offering potential for bioremediation applications. The study suggests that harnessing these natural biodegradation capabilities could help address pollution from plastic-derived chemicals in the environment.

Micro/nanorobots for the removal of microplastics and nanoplastics from the human body

Changes of the acute and chronic toxicity of three antimicrobial agents to Daphnia magna in the presence/absence of micro-polystyrene

Polystyrene microplastics alone caused chronic reproductive toxicity to Daphnia magna at low milligram-per-liter concentrations and worsened the reproductive harm caused by three antimicrobial compounds (triclosan, triclocarban, and methyl-triclosan) in a concentration-dependent manner. The findings suggest microplastics can amplify the chronic toxicity of co-occurring pollutants to aquatic invertebrates.

Facile H2PdCl4-induced photoreforming of insoluble PET waste for C1-C3 compound production

Researchers developed a facile H2PdCl4-induced photoreforming method to convert insoluble PET waste fragments into C1-C3 chemical compounds, addressing a key gap in plastic photoreforming that previously only worked with water-soluble oligomers. The study demonstrated that palladium-mediated photoreforming can handle insoluble PET polymer fractions, expanding the potential scope of light-driven plastic upcycling.

Advanced Science and Technology of Polymer Matrix Nanomaterials

This review examines the advanced science and technology of polymer matrix nanomaterials, covering synthesis, characterization, and application of nanomaterials embedded within polymer matrices across a range of rapidly developing fields.