We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Papers
20 resultsShowing papers similar to Understanding the Effects of Adding Metal Oxides to Bioplastic and Bioplastic Blends on the Mechanical and Rheological Behaviour, Wettability, and Photo-Oxidation Resistance
ClearUnderstanding the Effects of Adding Metal Oxides to Polylactic Acid and Polylactic Acid Blends on Mechanical and Rheological Behaviour, Wettability, and Photo-Oxidation Resistance
Researchers studied the effects of adding zinc oxide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles to polylactic acid and its blends, examining mechanical, rheological, and photo-oxidation properties. The study suggests that metal oxide additives can improve the performance of biopolymers, potentially making them more viable as replacements for conventional plastics that generate microplastic pollution.
Metal Oxides‐Based Nano/Microstructures for Photodegradation of Microplastics
This review covers how metal oxide materials, such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, can be used as photocatalysts to break down microplastics using sunlight. Some approaches can even convert plastic waste into useful fuels and chemicals. The technology offers a promising eco-friendly strategy for cleaning microplastics from water and wastewater systems.
Biodegradable nanocomposite films containing combined ZnO and TiO₂ nanoparticles in PBAT: A strategy to mitigate microplastic persistence from food packaging
This study created new biodegradable food packaging films by combining a plant-based polyester (PBAT) with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles, finding that the combination accelerated the material's degradation while also improving its mechanical and safety properties. The goal was to develop packaging that breaks down faster in the environment, producing fewer persistent microplastics compared to conventional plastics. Results suggest certain nanoparticle concentrations produce materials that are both commercially viable for packaging and meaningfully less likely to accumulate in ecosystems.
A study of the adsorption of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles on polyethylene microplastics and their desorption in aquatic media
Researchers studied the adsorption and desorption behavior of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles on polyethylene microplastics in aquatic media, finding rapid nanoparticle uptake and pH-dependent release that could influence contaminant transport.
Cellulose Nanofibrils Dewatered with Poly(Lactic Acid) for Improved Bio-Polymer Nanocomposite Processing
This paper is not about environmental microplastics; it describes a manufacturing process for combining cellulose nanofibers with polylactic acid (a biodegradable bioplastic) to make stronger composite materials, with no relevance to plastic pollution or human health risk.
Examining the Ecological Footprint of Microplastics: A Holistic Exploration from Genesis to Demise
This review summarizes the origins, environmental distribution, health impacts, and detection methods for microplastics across soil, water, and air, and highlights a promising remediation approach using metal oxide nanoparticles (titanium dioxide, iron oxide, zinc oxide) that can break down microplastics via surface reactions and reactive oxygen species. It provides a useful overview of both the problem's scope and emerging nanoparticle-based solutions for cleaning up contaminated environments.
Tailoring Photoprotection of Polylactide with New Isobornyl Derivatives of Phenol and Aniline
This paper is not relevant to microplastics research — it reports on the development of new photostabilizers (isobornyl derivatives) to protect polylactide (PLA) bioplastic from UV degradation, a materials chemistry study.
Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) Nanocomposites: Effect of Inorganic Nanoparticles Reinforcement on Its Performance and Food Packaging Applications
This review summarized approaches to reinforcing polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastic with inorganic nanoparticles — including clay, silica, and metal oxides — to improve its mechanical strength, barrier properties, and thermal stability for food packaging applications while retaining biodegradability.
Modified TiO2 and ZnO photocatalysts for microplastic degradation: mechanisms, challenges, and recent advances
This review examines recent advances in using modified titanium dioxide and zinc oxide photocatalysts to degrade microplastics in the environment. Researchers summarized the mechanisms by which these catalysts break down plastic particles when activated by light, as well as the challenges that remain for practical application. The study suggests that photocatalytic degradation is a promising approach for addressing microplastic pollution, though significant technical hurdles still need to be overcome.
Aging characteristics of polylatic acid microplastics and their adsorption on hydrophilic organic pollutants: mechanistic investigations and theoretical calculations
Researchers characterized how polylactic acid microplastics undergo UV and thermal aging in aquatic environments, finding that aging altered surface chemistry, increased hydrophilicity, and enhanced adsorption of heavy metal pollutants—raising concerns about aged biodegradable plastics as carriers of co-contaminants.
Poly(lactic acid) nanoplastics through laser ablation: establishing a reference model for mimicking biobased nanoplastics in aquatic environments
PLA (polylactic acid) nanoplastics were fabricated via laser ablation to create a reference model for studying biobased nanoplastics in aquatic environments, with the resulting particles sharing surface chemistry characteristics with environmentally degraded PLA debris.
Nanotechnology in Plastic Degradation
This review examines how nanotechnology can enhance plastic biodegradation, with nanoparticles improving microbial metabolic efficiency for polythene degradation, while also being incorporated into bioplastics to improve their poor thermal and mechanical properties relative to conventional plastics.
Release of microplastics from a bio-based composite after ultraviolet irradiation
Researchers examined the release of microplastic particles from a bio-based polylactic acid (PLA) composite material following ultraviolet irradiation in laboratory conditions, quantifying microplastic formation through observation, identification, and enumeration of released particles. The study aimed to assess whether bio-based polymers marketed as more sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based plastics like polypropylene still generate microplastic pollution during UV-driven environmental degradation.
Enhanced Degradability, Mechanical Properties, and Flame Retardation of Poly(Lactic Acid) Composite with New Zealand Jade (Pounamu) Particles
Not directly relevant to microplastics — this paper investigates adding New Zealand jade particles to polylactic acid (PLA) to improve mechanical strength, flame resistance, and degradation rate of a biodegradable plastic composite.
Catalytic and Physicochemical Evaluation of a TiO2/ZnO/Laccase Biocatalytic System: Application in the Decolorization of Azo and Anthraquinone Dyes
Researchers developed a biocatalytic system combining titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and the enzyme laccase to break down textile dyes in wastewater. The system successfully decolorized two types of synthetic dyes used in fabric manufacturing. While not directly about microplastics, synthetic dye wastewater from textiles also carries microfibers, and treatments that address both problems together are environmentally valuable.
Impact of fish myofibrillar protein and apple pectin–konjac glucomannan on the physical, thermal, and micro-structural properties of biodegradable blend film
Despite its title referencing biodegradable film and biopolymers, this paper studies the physical and thermal properties of food packaging films made from fish protein, apple pectin, and konjac glucomannan — not microplastic pollution. It examines how varying protein concentration affects film mechanical performance and UV-blocking ability, and is not directly relevant to microplastics or human health.
Nanostructured lignin carriers for efficient flame retardant delivery in natural rubber composites
Not relevant to microplastics — this paper describes using bio-based lignin nanocontainers to deliver a flame retardant in natural rubber composites, improving fire resistance and mechanical properties; it does not address microplastic pollution, environmental contamination, or health effects.
Zinc oxide nanoparticles dissolution and toxicity enhancement by polystyrene microplastics under sunlight irradiation
Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics dramatically increased the sunlight-induced dissolution of zinc oxide nanoparticles, enhancing the release of toxic zinc ions and reactive oxygen species in aquatic environments.
Balancing Porosity and Mechanical Properties of Titanium Samples to Favor Cellular Growth against Bacteria
Researchers studied how adding porosity to titanium implants affects their mechanical strength and resistance to bacterial infection. The study focuses on orthopedic implants and has no direct relevance to microplastics or environmental contamination.
Recent innovations in the developments of biopolymer-based materials for the removal of micro- and nanoplastics: A review of performance, critical factors, practicability and knowledge gaps
A review of recent innovations in biopolymer-based materials for various applications assessed how bio-derived polymers are being developed to reduce reliance on fossil-fuel plastics. The transition to biopolymers is relevant to reducing the long-term sources of microplastic pollution.