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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Rapid activation of microplastics by microwave heating in an aqueous phase: A novel approach for enhanced plastic recycling
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Chemical Recycling of Plastics by Microwave‐Assisted High‐Temperature Pyrolysis
Researchers developed a microwave-assisted high-temperature pyrolysis method that continuously breaks down mixed plastic waste and plant oil into useful chemicals like ethylene and propylene. This chemical recycling approach could help divert plastic waste from the environment while producing renewable building blocks for new materials.
Production of combustible fuels and carbon nanotubes from plastic wastes using an in-situ catalytic microwave pyrolysis process
Researchers developed an in-situ catalytic microwave pyrolysis process using ZSM-5 catalyst to convert plastic waste into hydrogen, liquid fuel, and carbon nanotubes, demonstrating a promising route for both energy recovery and valuable material production from plastic pollution.
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.
Enhancing Microplastic Degradation through Synergistic Photocatalytic and Pretreatment Approaches
Researchers developed a combined photocatalytic and hydrothermal pretreatment approach for degrading PET microplastics. They found that pretreating PET microplastics before photocatalysis improved degradation efficiency by nearly 7 to 9 times compared to untreated particles. The enhanced performance was attributed to increased surface porosity and hydrophilicity of the pretreated microplastics, with hydroxyl radicals identified as the primary driver of degradation.
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.
Process analysis of microplastic degradation using activated PMS and Fenton reagents
Researchers demonstrated that activated peroxymonosulfate and Fenton reagents can degrade nylon and polystyrene microplastics through free radical oxidation, achieving mass losses exceeding 20% after four treatment cycles.
Photo-fenton oxidation of microplastics: Impact of polymer nature
Researchers investigated photo-Fenton oxidation as a treatment for microplastics, finding that degradation efficiency varies significantly by polymer type. Polymers with aromatic structures and those with greater oxidative susceptibility degraded more rapidly under photo-Fenton conditions.
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.
Current Developments in the Chemical Upcycling of Waste Plastics Using Alternative Energy Sources
This review covers chemical upcycling approaches for waste plastics using alternative energy sources such as microwave, ultrasound, and photocatalysis, highlighting their potential to convert mixed plastic waste into valuable chemical feedstocks more efficiently than conventional pyrolysis.
Instant Upcycling of Microplastics into Graphene and Its Environmental Application
Researchers demonstrated a method for converting polyethylene microplastics into graphene using atmospheric pressure microwave plasma synthesis. The study suggests this one-step upcycling approach is more energy-efficient than traditional methods and produces graphene that shows strong adsorption capacity for environmental pollutants like perfluorooctanoic acid.
Photocatalytic strategy to mitigate microplastic pollution in aquatic environments: Promising catalysts, efficiencies, mechanisms, and ecological risks
This review summarizes recent advances in photocatalytic degradation of microplastics, covering catalysts, mechanisms, and reactive oxygen species generation pathways. The authors call for more realistic photocatalytic materials, better mechanistic understanding of degradation intermediates, and quantitative ecological risk assessment of photocatalysis byproducts.
Photocatalytic Technologies for Transformation and Degradation of Microplastics in the Environment: Current Achievements and Future Prospects
This review examines photocatalytic technologies that use light-activated materials to break down microplastics in the environment. Various catalysts can generate reactive oxygen species that degrade plastic polymers into simpler, less harmful molecules. The authors assess the strengths and limitations of different photocatalytic approaches and highlight the need for scalable solutions that work under real-world environmental conditions.
Microplastic degradation methods and corresponding degradation mechanism: Research status and future perspectives
This review summarizes current methods for degrading microplastics, including advanced oxidation processes, biodegradation, and thermal treatments, along with their underlying mechanisms. The study highlights that while several approaches show promise in laboratory settings, challenges remain in scaling these technologies for real-world environmental remediation of microplastic pollution.
Visible-light induced degradation of diphenyl urea and polyethylene using polythiophene decorated CuFe2O4 nanohybrids
Researchers developed a new material by combining copper-iron oxide nanoparticles with a conductive polymer, then used it to break down polyethylene plastic using visible light and microwave energy. Under microwave conditions, nearly half the polyethylene degraded, offering a potential pathway for using light-driven chemistry to reduce plastic pollution.
Treatment of microplastics in water by anodic oxidation: A case study for polystyrene
Anodic oxidation (electrooxidation) was tested as a method for degrading polystyrene microplastics suspended in water. The electrochemical treatment showed progressive microplastic degradation, demonstrating potential for electrooxidation as a water treatment approach targeting suspended plastic particles.
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.
Countering microplastics pollution with photocatalysis: Challenge and prospects
This review summarized the use of photocatalysis for degrading microplastics, covering catalyst types, reaction mechanisms, and operational parameters, and discussing challenges including the stability of highly polymerized plastics and prospects for scaling photocatalytic treatment to address environmental microplastic pollution.
Electrochemical degradation of nanoplastics in water: Analysis of the role of reactive oxygen species
Researchers investigated electrochemical methods for degrading nanoplastics in water and analyzed the role of different reactive oxygen species in the process. They found that the electro-peroxidation process was about 2.6 times more effective than standard electrooxidation, achieving up to 86.8% nanoplastic degradation under optimized conditions. The study presents a promising advanced treatment approach for addressing nanoplastic contamination in water.