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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Photo-Aging of Biodegradable Polylactic Acid Microplastics
ClearAging behavior of biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics accelerated by UV/H2O2 processes
Researchers used UV and hydrogen peroxide to simulate environmental aging of biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics, finding that PLA microplastics undergo significant surface and structural changes during weathering that alter their environmental behavior and persistence.
Novel insights into photoaging mechanisms and environmental persistence risks of polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics: Direct and indirect photolysis
Using quantum chemical calculations and kinetic simulations, researchers investigated the photoaging mechanisms of polylactic acid (PLA) -- a supposedly biodegradable plastic -- under UV radiation. PLA underwent both direct photolysis and indirect photolysis via reactive oxygen species, producing persistent microplastic fragments, raising concerns that PLA's environmental persistence under real-world sunlight conditions may exceed expectations.
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.
Degradation of Biodegradable Microplastics under Artificially Controlled Aging Conditions with UV Radiation
Researchers subjected biodegradable plastics to controlled UV aging and found that they fragmented into microplastics faster than conventional plastics under simulated outdoor conditions. Biodegradable plastics are promoted as an eco-friendly alternative, but this study shows they may actually create microplastic pollution more rapidly in real-world environments. The findings raise important questions about whether biodegradable plastics are a genuine solution to plastic pollution.
From Macro to Micro Plastics; Influence of Photo-oxidative Degradation
This study used simulated UV aging to investigate how photo-oxidative degradation of common plastics drives fragmentation from macro to micro scale, characterizing the surface property changes and structural breakdown that generate microplastic particles in the environment.
Adsorption/desorption behavior of degradable polylactic acid microplastics on bisphenol A under different aging conditions
Researchers studied how different types of UV-simulated aging affect the ability of polylactic acid microplastics to adsorb and release bisphenol A. The study found that aging conditions changed the surface properties of the biodegradable plastic, altering its interaction with this common environmental contaminant. The findings suggest that even biodegradable microplastics can act as carriers of harmful chemicals depending on their degradation state.
Accelerated fragmentation of two thermoplastics (polylactic acid and polypropylene) into microplastics after UV radiation and seawater immersion
Researchers exposed two types of plastic -- polylactic acid (PLA, a "bio-based" plastic) and polypropylene (PP, a petroleum-based plastic) -- to UV radiation in seawater to see how quickly they fragment into microplastics. PP released up to nine times more microplastic particles than PLA after simulated exposure equivalent to about two years of European sunlight. This suggests that while no plastic is immune to fragmentation, switching to bio-based plastics could reduce the rate of microplastic generation in marine environments.
Polylactic acid synthesis, biodegradability, conversion to microplastics and toxicity: a review
Researchers reviewed polylactic acid (PLA), a popular plant-based "biodegradable" plastic used in packaging and agriculture, finding that while it breaks down inside the body, it does not fully degrade under natural outdoor or aquatic conditions — and in fact fragments into microplastics faster than conventional petroleum-based plastics. This challenges the assumption that bioplastics are a straightforward environmental solution.
Micro- and nanoplastics released from biodegradable and conventional plastics during degradation: Formation, aging factors, and toxicity
Researchers compared how biodegradable and conventional plastics break down into micro- and nanoplastics during degradation, testing the effects of UV light and mechanical forces. They found that biodegradable plastics like PLA and PBS can produce significant quantities of secondary microplastics, challenging the assumption that they are entirely safe alternatives. The study highlights the need for risk assessments of biodegradable plastics, particularly the tiny fragments generated as they break down.
Generation of nanoplastics during the photoageing of low-density polyethylene
Researchers studied how low-density polyethylene microplastics break down under UV light equivalent to one year of solar exposure. They found that photoageing generated large numbers of smaller particles in the 1-5 micrometer range, effectively producing nanoplastics from larger microplastic fragments. The study suggests that environmental weathering of common plastic materials continuously generates ever-smaller particles that may be harder to detect and remove.
Developing environmentally relevant test materials for microplastic research through UV-induced photoaging
Researchers used UV irradiation to create photoaged microplastics from multiple polymer types as environmentally relevant test materials for ecotoxicology research, characterizing how aging changes surface chemistry, particle size distribution, and potential biological effects.
Photoaging of Polyvinyl Chloride and Polystyrene Under UVA Radiation in Diverse Environmental Conditions
Researchers exposed polyvinyl chloride and polystyrene plastics to UVA radiation under diverse environmental conditions and tracked their photoaging and fragmentation, finding that UVA exposure accelerates microplastic generation in ways that vary with environmental context.
Insights into the photoaging behavior of biodegradable and nondegradable microplastics: Spectroscopic and molecular characteristics of dissolved organic matter release
Researchers compared how biodegradable and conventional microplastics break down under ultraviolet light and what dissolved substances they release. They found that biodegradable PLA microplastics released more protein-like organic matter during UV exposure than conventional polystyrene, and this matter was more readily used by microorganisms. The study suggests that biodegradable plastics, while designed to be better for the environment, may introduce different ecological risks as they break down.
Comparing the Aging Processes of PLA and PE: The Impact of UV Irradiation and Water
Scientists compared how biodegradable PLA plastic and conventional polyethylene break down under UV light and water exposure. PLA degraded more severely, fragmenting into smaller particles more readily than polyethylene, though both types developed surface cracks and chemical changes. Understanding how different plastics age is important because smaller, more degraded particles may be more easily absorbed by living organisms and potentially cause greater harm.
Microbial Degradation of Polylactic Acid Bioplastic
This review covers how microorganisms degrade polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastic under different environmental conditions. Understanding PLA biodegradation is important for assessing whether PLA products actually break down as intended in real-world environments rather than persisting as microplastics.
Ageing and fragmentation of marine microplastics
Researchers studied how marine microplastics fragment into smaller particles when exposed to UV light and mechanical forces, simulating natural environmental aging. They found that aged microplastics generated an enormous number of fragments, reaching billions of particles per gram of plastic, with most pieces smaller than two micrometers. The results suggest that current environmental sampling methods severely undercount the true number of small microplastic and nanoplastic particles present in the ocean.
Study on the impact of photoaging on the generation of very small microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) and the wettability of plastic surface
Experiments using UV light to artificially age six common plastic types showed that sunlight (photoaging) accelerates the breakdown of plastics into very small microplastics and nanoplastics and makes plastic surfaces rougher and more chemically reactive. Understanding how different polymer structures respond to light aging is important for predicting which plastics will fragment fastest in the environment and generate the most hazardous small particles.
Degradation of polypropylene : proportion of microplastics formed and assessment of their density.
This study quantified microplastic formation during UV degradation of polypropylene and characterized the chemical changes in the polymer structure caused by photooxidation. UV exposure was shown to generate new particles and alter chemical composition in ways that may change microplastic toxicity and environmental behavior.
Degradation of polypropylene : proportion of microplastics formed and assessment of their density.
Researchers quantified the proportion of microplastics generated during UV-driven degradation of polypropylene and assessed changes in chemical composition caused by photooxidation. The study found that UV exposure progressively fragments polypropylene and alters its surface chemistry, affecting subsequent environmental behavior and toxicity.
The fate of microplastics in the environment: Systematic studies to determine release rates of secondary micro- and nanoplastics and water-soluble organics induced by photolysis and hydrolysis
Researchers conducted systematic studies on the photolytic and hydrolytic degradation of microplastics using three photolysis protocols and multiple polymer types to determine release rates of secondary micro- and nanoplastics and water-soluble organics, providing mechanistic data needed for environmental fate and risk assessment.
The fate of microplastics in the environment: Systematic studies to determine release rates of secondary micro- and nanoplastics and water-soluble organics induced by photolysis and hydrolysis
Researchers conducted systematic studies on the photolytic and hydrolytic degradation of microplastics using three photolysis protocols and multiple polymer types to determine release rates of secondary micro- and nanoplastics and water-soluble organics, providing mechanistic data needed for environmental fate and risk assessment.
The fate, impacts and potential risks of photoaging process of the microplastics in the aqueous environment
This review examines how ultraviolet light from sunlight causes microplastics in water to age and change their physical and chemical properties, including surface texture, chemical structure, and water-repelling ability. Researchers found that photoaged microplastics become better at carrying other pollutants and may pose greater environmental risks than fresh plastics. The study highlights that aged microplastics can also increase biological toxicity and human exposure risks compared to their original form.
The characteristic change of plastic film from common used packing bags under UV photodegradation
Researchers studied how UV light degrades plastic packaging films over time, finding that photodegradation causes surface cracking and chemical changes that progressively break plastic into smaller fragments, including microplastics. The findings help explain how discarded plastic packaging contributes to microplastic accumulation in the marine environment.
Abiotic degradation and accelerated ageing of microplastics from biodegradable and recycled materials in artificial seawater
Researchers examined the degradation behavior of microplastics from two biodegradable plastics (polylactic acid and Mater-Bi) and recycled PET under simulated seawater and photo-oxidative conditions. They identified hydrolysis as the primary degradation pathway and characterized the oligomers, degradation products, and plastic additives released into the water. The study improves understanding of how these alternative plastic materials break down in marine environments and what chemicals they release.