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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Thermal Techniques for the Degradation and Remediation of Microplastics
ClearOn the degradation of (micro)plastics: Degradation methods, influencing factors, environmental impacts
This review provides a comprehensive overview of methods for degrading microplastics, including photodegradation, thermal degradation, and biodegradation, along with the factors that influence each process. Researchers found that while several degradation approaches show promise in laboratory settings, no mature and effective method is yet available for large-scale engineering applications or natural environments. The study also discusses how degradation products of microplastics can themselves pose environmental risks.
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.
Microplastic Recovery and Conversion Pathways: The Most Recent Advancements in Technologies for the Generation of Renewable Energy
This review examines current technologies for recovering energy from microplastics, evaluating pyrolysis, gasification, electrochemical methods, and hybrid biomass-based approaches in terms of energy balance, carbon conversion, product composition, process efficiency, and scalability. The authors found pyrolysis to be the most scalable method, producing valuable oils and gases, but highlighted that all reviewed technologies face challenges handling the heterogeneous composition and small particle sizes characteristic of MP feedstocks.
Fate of microplastics during conventional and hydrothermal treatments of sewage sludge: a short review
This review examines the fate of microplastics during conventional and hydrothermal treatment of sewage sludge, noting that approximately 90% of microplastics entering wastewater treatment plants are retained in sludge. Researchers found that while conventional disposal routes concentrate microplastics in sludge destined for land application, hydrothermal treatments offer potential pathways to degrade or transform microplastics, though the efficiency and byproducts of these processes require further investigation.
An overview of microplastics characterization by thermal analysis
This review explores the potential of thermal analytical techniques - including thermogravimetry and pyrolysis-GC/MS - for identifying and characterizing microplastics in environmental samples, covering both manufactured primary microplastics and degradation-derived secondary ones. Thermal methods offer advantages for bulk quantification and polymer identification that complement spectroscopic approaches.
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.
Current progress on plastic/microplastic degradation: Fact influences and mechanism
This review examined current physicochemical and biological methods for degrading plastics and microplastics, including mechanical, UV, thermal, and microbial approaches. Researchers found that while multiple degradation pathways exist, their efficiency varies widely depending on polymer type and environmental conditions. The study highlights the need for more effective and scalable degradation technologies to address growing plastic pollution.
Biodegradation of Plastic Waste: Environmental Implications and Remediation Approaches
This review examined physical, chemical, and biological degradation mechanisms of microplastics in the environment, including photodegradation, hydrolysis, and microbial breakdown. The authors discussed how degradation generates secondary microplastics and toxic by-products, and reviewed emerging mitigation strategies including advanced oxidation and enzymatic degradation.
Fast identification of microplastics in complex environmental samples by a thermal degradation method
Researchers developed a fast identification method for microplastics in complex environmental samples using thermal analysis, offering a high-throughput alternative to spectroscopic techniques for polymer identification.
Mechanisms and the Engineering Approaches for the Degradation of Microplastics
This review provided a comprehensive overview of current microplastic degradation methods, including mechanical, chemical, photocatalytic, and biological approaches, evaluating engineering strategies for efficient microplastic treatment and removal.
Microplastics Degradation and Remediation Techniques
This review surveys degradation and remediation techniques for microplastics -- particles from 0.1 micrometers to 5 mm -- including physical, chemical, and biological approaches. The authors evaluate the effectiveness of current methods and identify promising directions for reducing the persistent environmental and health impacts of microplastic pollution.
Integrated photothermal and photocatalytic degradation of micro-/nanoplastics: a mini-review with mechanistic insights and future perspectives
This mini-review examines how combined photothermal and photocatalytic technologies can be used to break down micro- and nanoplastics in the environment. Researchers describe how these approaches use light energy to generate heat and reactive chemical species that degrade plastic particles. The study outlines the underlying mechanisms and discusses future directions for making these treatment methods practical at larger scales.
Microplastic degradation as a sustainable concurrent approach for producing biofuel and obliterating hazardous environmental effects: A state-of-the-art review
This review explores approaches to degrading microplastics through thermal and biological methods, which could simultaneously reduce environmental pollution and produce usable biofuels. Researchers highlight how certain microorganisms and heat-based processes can break down microplastics into simpler compounds that can serve as energy sources. The study suggests these dual-purpose strategies could help address both the plastic pollution crisis and energy security challenges.
Materials challenges and opportunities to address growing micro/nanoplastics pollution: a review of thermochemical upcycling
This review examined thermochemical upcycling technologies including pyrolysis, gasification, and liquefaction as approaches to valorize micro- and nanoplastic waste, assessing the material challenges and opportunities for converting environmental plastic pollution into useful fuels or chemical feedstocks.
Trends for the Thermal Degradation of Polymeric Materials: Analysis of Available Techniques, Issues, and Opportunities
This review analyzed thermal degradation methods for mixed polymer waste streams including PET, PP, and tire rubber, examining pyrolysis conditions and reaction mechanisms for different plastic types. The authors identified opportunities to improve thermal recycling technologies and reduce the fraction of plastic waste that enters the environment as microplastics.
Fate of microplastic during pyrolysis of sewage sludge
Researchers investigated what happens to microplastics embedded in sewage sludge when sludge is treated by pyrolysis, a high-temperature thermochemical process. Pyrolysis effectively destroyed most microplastic particles, but some residual polymer-derived compounds partitioned into the pyrolysis products.
Catalytic and biocatalytic degradation of microplastics
This review covers the current state of breaking down microplastics using catalysts and biological agents including enzymes, metals, nanomaterials, and microorganisms. While some approaches show promise for degrading certain plastic types, the field is still developing standardized methods for measuring how well these techniques work. Finding effective ways to break down microplastics is critical for reducing the environmental and health burden of plastic pollution.
Microplastics Degradation Technologies and Remediation Techniques from Aquatic Systems
This review surveys degradation and remediation technologies for microplastics in aquatic systems including rivers, lakes, groundwater, and wastewater treatment plants. The authors examine the toxic and persistent nature of microplastics in water and assess the effectiveness of current removal methods for direct and indirect exposure pathways.
Systematic Review of Degradation Processes for Microplastics: Progress and Prospects
This systematic review summarizes existing research on different methods for breaking down microplastics, including photodegradation, chemical oxidation, and biological approaches. The study evaluates how effective each technique is at destroying microplastics and discusses which methods show the most promise for real-world application. Finding effective ways to degrade microplastics is critical because these particles persist in the environment for hundreds of years and continue to enter our food and water.
Microplastic Degradation in Sewage Sludge by Hydrothermal Carbonization: Efficiency and Mechanisms
Researchers evaluated hydrothermal carbonization as a method for degrading microplastics in sewage sludge. The study found that treatment at 260 degrees Celsius achieved a 79% reduction in microplastic concentrations, and investigated the decomposition mechanisms for different polymer types. The findings suggest that hydrothermal carbonization could be an effective approach for removing microplastics from sewage sludge before environmental disposal.
Current understanding on the fate of contaminants during hydrothermal treatment of sewage sludge
This review examines how hydrothermal treatment of sewage sludge handles various contaminants including microplastics, heavy metals, and pharmaceuticals. While the high-temperature water treatment can break down many pollutants, its effectiveness against microplastics specifically is still being studied. Since sewage sludge is often spread on farmland, understanding how well treatment destroys microplastics is important for preventing them from entering the food supply.
Detection and degradation of microplastics in the environment: a review
This review covers methods for detecting and breaking down microplastics in the environment. Microplastics persist in ecosystems and pose potential risks to both human health and wildlife. The paper highlights the need for better tools and strategies to address this growing pollution problem.
Microplastics Mitigation in Sewage Sludge through Pyrolysis: The Role of Pyrolysis Temperature
The effect of pyrolysis on reducing microplastic content in sewage sludge was investigated in a lab-scale study evaluating multiple pyrolysis temperature conditions. Pyrolysis effectively degraded microplastic particles in sludge, with higher temperatures achieving greater microplastic reduction, positioning pyrolysis as a viable treatment for managing microplastic-laden organic waste.
Recent trends in degradation of microplastics in the environment: A state-of-the-art review
This review examines different methods for breaking down microplastics in the environment, including biological approaches using microorganisms and chemical techniques like advanced oxidation. Each method has trade-offs in effectiveness and scalability, and better standardized testing is needed to move these solutions from the lab to real-world cleanup of microplastic pollution that threatens ecosystems and human health.