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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to New approach to produce accelerated aged microplastics standard
ClearNew approach to produce accelerated aged microplastics standard
Researchers developed a new approach to produce accelerated aged microplastic standard materials by subjecting polymer particles to simulated weathering conditions, generating reference materials that more accurately reflect the degraded chemical and physical properties of microplastics found in real environmental samples.
Are we really producing environmentally relevant reference materials for microplastic studies?
This study evaluated whether laboratory-produced microplastic reference materials used in research adequately represent the physical and chemical properties of particles found in natural environments. Results found substantial differences between commercially available reference materials and environmentally weathered microplastics, undermining the ecological relevance of studies using pristine materials.
A novel proof of concept approach towards generating reference microplastic particles
Researchers developed a new method for creating standardized reference microplastic particles that can be embedded in a dissolvable matrix in precise, known quantities. Current microplastic research suffers from a lack of consistent reference standards, making it difficult to compare results across different laboratories and methods. The approach could significantly improve the quality and comparability of microplastic measurements in environmental studies.
A novel proof of concept approach towards generating reference microplastic particles
This paper presented a proof-of-concept approach for generating standardized reference microplastic particles to improve comparability across analytical methods. The lack of consistent reference materials has been a key barrier to producing reliable and comparable microplastic research data.
Accelerated Weathering of Microplastics: A Systematic Approach to Model Microplastic Production
Researchers developed a systematic laboratory method for producing environmentally realistic microplastics through accelerated UV weathering of common polymer types. The approach generates particles with surface degradation patterns that closely mimic those found in nature, unlike commercially available test beads. The study provides a reproducible protocol that could improve the relevance of microplastic toxicity and environmental fate studies.
Microplastic aging processes: Environmental relevance and analytical implications
Researchers reviewed how microplastics change physically and chemically over time in the environment — a process called 'aging' — and found that standard lab methods for detecting microplastics were mostly developed using fresh, unaged plastics, making it harder to accurately measure real-world contamination. Improved analytical methods that account for aged microplastics are needed for reliable environmental assessment.
A reliable procedure to obtain environmentally relevant nanoplastic proxies
Researchers developed a reliable procedure for producing nanoplastic proxies with properties more representative of environmentally aged nanoplastics, addressing the urgent need for better reference materials in nanoplastic fate, transport, and toxicology research.
Elaborating more realistic model microplastics by simulating polypropylene's environmental ageing
This study developed more realistic model microplastics by simulating the environmental aging of polypropylene, producing laboratory particles with surface chemistry, roughness, and density closer to field-collected environmental microplastics.
Small micro- and nanoplastic test and reference materials for research: Current status and future needs
This review highlights the critical shortage of well-characterized, environmentally relevant reference materials for studying small microplastics and nanoplastics. Most laboratory studies use commercially available spherical particles that do not represent the irregular, weathered particles found in nature. The authors call for developing standardized reference materials that better mimic real-world microplastic contamination to improve the reliability of exposure and hazard assessments.
Are we really producing environmentally relevant reference materials for microplastic studies?
This study critically evaluated whether current laboratory-produced microplastic reference materials adequately represent the properties of microplastics found in real environments, examining particle morphology, chemical composition, and surface characteristics. Significant gaps were identified between commercially available reference materials and environmentally relevant particles, limiting the ecological realism of ecotoxicology studies.
Towards nanoplastic reference materials representative of partially degraded/naturally aged samples in complex food and environmental matrices
Researchers developed nanoplastic reference materials that better represent partially degraded and naturally aged particles found in real environmental and food matrices, addressing the gap left by commercially available monodispersed, spherical, surfactant-coated particles that do not reflect the polydispersed morphologies of environmental nanoplastics.
Towards nanoplastic reference materials representative of partially degraded/naturally aged samples in complex food and environmental matrices
Researchers developed nanoplastic reference materials that better represent partially degraded and naturally aged particles found in real environmental and food matrices, addressing the inadequacy of commercially available monodispersed spherical particles that do not reflect the polydispersed, irregular morphology of environmental nanoplastics.
Development of new microplastic reference particles for usage in pre-defined numbers
This study developed new microplastic reference particles with defined numbers of particles per unit, addressing the lack of standardized reference materials that has hampered comparability across microplastic research studies and analytical methods.
Developing environmentally relevant test materials for microplastic research through UV-induced photoaging
Researchers developed standardized UV-driven photoaging protocols to produce environmentally relevant test microplastics with reproducible and chemically homogeneous properties. Different photoaging protocols generated MPs with distinct surface characteristics, enabling more realistic fate, toxicity, and risk assessment studies.
Accelerated plastic aging in suspension (APAS): A simple, reproducible approach for the generation of model micro- and nanoplastics through simulated environmental forces
Researchers developed the Accelerated Plastic Aging in Suspension (APAS) method to simulate environmental plastic weathering in the laboratory, demonstrating that the protocol reproducibly generates aged microplastics with surface properties comparable to environmentally collected samples.
Preparation of Degraded Microplastics That Imitate Surface Properties in the Environment
Researchers developed laboratory methods to prepare degraded microplastics that accurately mimic the surface properties of environmentally weathered particles, filling a gap in toxicology research that often uses pristine plastic beads instead of realistic aged particles. The study characterized how surface chemistry, roughness, and charge of laboratory-degraded microplastics compare to those collected from natural environments.
Preparation and Analysis of Standard Microplastics
Researchers prepared and characterized standard microplastic samples from synthetic textiles, finding that microfilaments shed by fabrics are the dominant form and proposing methods for creating consistent reference materials for environmental monitoring studies.
Preparing and characterizing environmentally aged microplastics
When microplastics enter the environment, they are not static — UV radiation, water, temperature, and biological activity all cause them to age, changing their surface structure, chemical composition, and behavior. This paper presents a standardized laboratory protocol for systematically recreating and measuring microplastic aging across different environments (soil, water, air, and inside organisms), along with a composite aging index to quantify how degraded a particle has become. Having a consistent, reproducible method for studying aging is a critical step toward understanding how microplastics change as they move through ecosystems and how that affects their health and environmental risks.
Approaches for the preparation and evaluation of hydrophilic polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate microplastic particles suited for toxicological effect studies
Researchers developed methods to create large quantities of artificially aged, hydrophilic microplastic particles from PET and polyethylene, eliminating the need for surfactants in toxicity experiments. Using alkaline and acidic treatments, they produced particles smaller than 5 micrometers with significantly increased water compatibility. These standardized, aged particles better represent real-world microplastics and could improve the consistency and relevance of laboratory toxicity studies.
Air‐based polyethylene fragmentation with high yield to form microplastic particles as reference material candidates
Researchers developed an air-based machine to produce aged microplastic reference material particles with high yield, using ultraviolet aging of thin polyethylene foil followed by mechanical fragmentation with clean air, eliminating the need for resource-intensive liquid nitrogen grinding. Physical and chemical characterization confirmed the method produces particles between 1 and 1000 µm that mimic environmentally weathered microplastics, addressing a key gap in standard reference materials for microplastic research.
Mimicking the environmental ageing of polymers for the preparation of model microplastics
Researchers developed a laboratory methodology to reproduce environmental polymer degradation by combining photodegradation and mechanical stress (UV aging followed by either cryomilling or gentle stirring), producing microplastics closer in size, shape, and composition to those found in nature. Particles produced via the soft stirring protocol were more stable in water and better retained the chemical composition of the parent material compared to cryomilled particles.
Preparation of block copolymer-stabilised microspheres of common polymers and their use as microplastics proxies in degradation studies
Researchers developed a simple method to produce standardized model microplastic particles made from common polymers for use in laboratory degradation studies. Reliable model microplastics are essential for consistent research into how different plastic types break down in the environment and affect living organisms.
Innovative reference materials for method validation in microplastic analysis including interlaboratory comparison exercises
Researchers developed innovative reference materials for validating microplastic analysis methods, presenting interlaboratory comparison results that support quality assurance and standardization in the growing field of microplastic detection.
A critical comparison of the main characterization techniques for microplastics identification in an accelerated aging laboratory experiment
This paper critically compared the main spectroscopic and microscopic characterization techniques used to identify microplastics in environmental samples, evaluating their strengths, limitations, and suitability for different matrices. The review highlighted the need for standardized methods to improve comparability across microplastic studies.