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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Rapid activation of microplastics by microwave heating
ClearRapid activation of microplastics by microwave heating
This study investigated using microwave heating to rapidly activate microplastics, likely altering their surface chemistry to enhance adsorption of pollutants or to accelerate degradation. Understanding how heat treatment transforms microplastics is relevant both for remediation strategies and for assessing what happens to plastics in environments or processes involving elevated temperatures.
Rapid activation of microplastics by microwave heating in an aqueous phase: A novel approach for enhanced plastic recycling
Microwave heating was used to rapidly activate microplastics by partial oxidation, enhancing their subsequent degradation in catalytic wet peroxide oxidation (CWPO) processes. Graphite particles and hydrogen peroxide during microwave treatment boosted MP reactivity, with aliphatic plastics activating more effectively than aromatic ones.
Investigation of the impact of microwave treatment on the aging of polypropylene microplastics
This study investigated how microwave heating of plastic food containers affects polypropylene microplastic properties, including surface chemistry and fragmentation potential. Microwave treatment altered the aging state of polypropylene particles, suggesting that routine kitchen use of plastic containers accelerates the release of microplastics into food.
Investigation of the impact of microwave treatment on the aging of polypropylene microplastics
This study investigated how microwave heating affects polypropylene microplastics used in common food containers, examining changes in surface chemistry, fragmentation, and potential additive release under typical household cooking conditions. Microwave treatment accelerated aging and altered particle properties of polypropylene microplastics, suggesting routine microwave use of plastic containers promotes microplastic release into food.
Microwave-assisted pretreatments and analytical pyrolysis for the quantification of microplastics and correlated pollutants
Researchers developed and evaluated microwave-assisted pretreatment methods combined with analytical pyrolysis to simultaneously quantify microplastics and associated co-pollutants such as additives and persistent organic pollutants, addressing gaps in understanding how these contaminant classes interact in ecosystems.
Microwave-assisted pretreatments and analytical pyrolysis for the quantification of microplastics and correlated pollutants
Researchers combined microwave-assisted extraction and digestion with analytical pyrolysis coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) to characterize and quantify microplastics and associated pollutants including additives, persistent organic pollutants, and degradation products in environmental samples, using lyophilized mussel flour as a reference matrix. They found that microwave-assisted pretreatments significantly reduced sample preparation time while achieving reliable MP quantification alongside co-occurring chemical contaminants.
Investigation of Surface Alteration of Microplastics by Using UV Irradiation
UV radiation causes polystyrene and other plastic microparticles to undergo photooxidative degradation, changing their surface chemistry and potentially making them more likely to adsorb or release chemical pollutants. Understanding these weathering processes is important for predicting the environmental behavior and toxicity of microplastics.
The effect of Ozonation on the chemical structure of microplastics
Ozone treatment of microplastics in water caused oxidative changes to polymer surfaces including carbonyl group formation and surface cracking, which altered hydrophobicity and potentially increased the capacity of treated particles to adsorb contaminants, suggesting that ozonation in water treatment may chemically transform rather than eliminate microplastic hazards.
Development of a Microwave-Assisted Digestion Procedure for Microplastics Extraction from Different Food Matrices with Subsequent Analysis Using Raman Microspectroscopy
Scientists developed a faster way to find tiny plastic particles (microplastics) in different types of food using microwave technology. The new method can detect these particles in just 2 hours compared to much longer with older techniques, and it works well on various foods. This matters because microplastics are increasingly found in our food supply, and having better detection methods helps scientists monitor what we're eating and understand potential health risks.
Surface hydroxyl-rich BiOCl/TiO2 and microwave pretreatment synergistically promote photocatalytic degradation of high density polyethylene microplastics
Researchers developed a novel approach combining a surface hydroxyl-rich photocatalyst with microwave pretreatment to break down high-density polyethylene microplastics. The combined method achieved a 63% weight loss of the microplastics within 20 hours, roughly tripling the degradation rate compared to individual catalysts alone. The study suggests that disrupting the crystalline structure of plastics before photocatalytic treatment significantly improves their breakdown under mild conditions.
Thermal aging of polystyrene microplastics within mussels (Mytilus coruscus) under boiling and drying processing
Researchers investigated how common thermal food processing methods, including boiling and various drying techniques, cause polystyrene microplastics within mussels to age and degrade. All processing methods accelerated aging of the microplastics, with microwave drying having the most significant effect, producing smaller particles with altered surface chemistry and increased water-attracting properties. The findings highlight that food processing itself may transform microplastics into forms that could pose different or greater risks to consumers.
High temperature depended on the ageing mechanism of microplastics under different environmental conditions and its effect on the distribution of organic pollutants
Scientists aged polystyrene microplastics at 75°C in air, pure water, and seawater and characterized the aging products, finding that high temperature accelerated surface oxidation and that aged microplastics in all three media adsorbed more organic pollutants than pristine particles.
Studies of the Photo-transformation of Emerging Contaminants Adsorbed onto Plastic in an Aqueous Environment
This thesis investigated how light exposure transforms chemical contaminants adsorbed onto microplastics in water, examining how UV-driven photo-transformation changes the toxicity of pollutants like PCBs and PAHs attached to plastic surfaces. Understanding these transformations is important for assessing the true environmental risk of chemical-laden microplastics.
Mechanochemical and Mechanobiological Recycling of Postconsumer Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) Plastics under Microwave irradiation: A comparative study.
Researchers developed a rapid mechanical pretreatment using microwave irradiation to improve PET plastic recycling under mild, environmentally friendly conditions. More efficient PET recycling reduces the amount that ends up in landfills or the environment, where it breaks down into microplastics.
Thermal Techniques for the Degradation and Remediation of Microplastics
This review examined thermal technologies — including pyrolysis, incineration, and hydrothermal treatment — for degrading and remediating microplastics in environmental samples and waste streams. Each technology was evaluated for efficiency, energy requirements, and potential by-product concerns.
Impacts of high temperatures on microbial degradation of microplastics and strategies for optimization
This review examined how temperature affects microbial degradation of microplastics, finding that moderate warming can reduce plastic crystallinity and facilitate biodegradation, while excessively high temperatures can inhibit microbial activity, and summarizing strategies to optimize degradation efficiency.
Investigations into the Reactivity of Microplastics in Water
Researchers investigated how hydroxyl radicals — naturally occurring reactive molecules in water — chemically transform microplastics, finding that radiation-generated radicals can break plastic bonds and alter their surface properties. Understanding microplastic chemical reactivity in water is important for predicting how environmental degradation changes their biological effects.
Microwave-Assisted Extraction for Quantification of Microplastics Using Pyrolysis–Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry
Researchers developed a microwave-assisted extraction method combined with pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) for quantifying microplastics in environmental matrices, improving extraction efficiency and analytical accuracy.
Insight into the adsorption behaviors and bioaccessibility of three altered microplastics through three types of advanced oxidation processes
Scientists found that when common microplastics (polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene) undergo water treatment processes like UV or chemical oxidation, their surfaces change in ways that make them better at absorbing harmful pollutants. The treated microplastics also released more chemicals during simulated human digestion, meaning people who ingest these particles may absorb more toxins from them. This is concerning because most microplastics in drinking water have already been through some form of water treatment.
Adsorption of some hazardous aromatic hydrocarbons by various pristine and heat-activated aged microplastics as potential pollutant carriers in aquatic environment
Researchers examined how pristine and heat-aged microplastics of four polymer types adsorb hazardous aromatic hydrocarbons, finding that aging significantly altered adsorption capacity. The results demonstrate that weathered microplastics may act as more effective pollutant vectors than pristine particles in aquatic environments.
Microwave-Induced In-Liquid Plasma for Chemical and Environmental Applications: Investigation of Wastewater Treatment Contaminated by Microplastics and Toxic Metal Ions
Researchers used a microwave-induced in-liquid plasma device to degrade microplastics and toxic metal ions in contaminated water, demonstrating that polyethylene particles were degraded under continuous circulation treatment and that the method outperformed conventional batch treatments when assessed using rhodamine-B dye as a model contaminant.
Characterization and quantification of microplastics and organic pollutants in mussels by microwave-assisted sample preparation and analytical pyrolysis
Researchers developed a combined microwave-assisted extraction and analytical pyrolysis method to simultaneously detect and measure both microplastics and organic contaminants (like pesticides and flame retardants) in mussels. The approach offers a more efficient way to screen seafood for the full range of plastic-related pollution in a single workflow. This matters because mussels are widely consumed and serve as sentinel species for coastal contamination, and co-exposure to plastics and chemical pollutants may pose compounded health risks.
Detection of microplastics by microfluidic microwave sensing: An exploratory study
Researchers developed a compact microwave sensor on a microfluidic chip to detect microplastics in water samples. The system works by measuring how the presence of plastic particles changes the electrical properties of water. While the technology shows promise as a rapid and portable detection method, its current sensitivity needs improvement before it can detect the low microplastic concentrations typically found in natural freshwater.
Enhanced removal of PVC nanoplastics from water using microwave-activated palm frond biochar
Researchers developed a low-cost sorbent from palm-frond agricultural waste by microwave activation and NaOH treatment, and further produced a magnetically retrievable composite for enhanced removal of PVC nanoplastics from water. The modified palm-frond biochar demonstrated substantially improved nanoplastic adsorption capacity compared to unmodified biochar, offering a sustainable remediation material derived from agricultural waste.