Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Carbon nanotubes production from real-world waste plastics and the pyrolysis behaviour

Researchers produced carbon nanotubes from real-world waste plastics through pyrolysis, characterizing the thermal decomposition behavior of mixed plastic waste and demonstrating a valuable upcycling pathway for plastic pollution.

2023 Waste Management 49 citations
Article Tier 2

Morpho-structural and thermo-mechanical characterization of recycled polypropylene and polystyrene from mixed post-consumer plastic waste

Researchers characterized recycled polypropylene and polystyrene recovered from mixed post-consumer plastic waste, assessing their morphological, structural, and thermo-mechanical properties to evaluate suitability for reuse in manufacturing.

2022 Journal of environmental chemical engineering 24 citations
Article Tier 2

Graphene quantum dot for thermoplastic nanocomposites—Scope and opportunities

Despite its title referencing graphene quantum dots for nanocomposites, this paper studies how graphene quantum dots improve the physical properties of thermoplastic polymers like polystyrene and polyurethane — not microplastic pollution. It examines nanomaterial science for engineering applications, and is not relevant to microplastics or human health.

2025 Characterization and Application of Nanomaterials 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Investigating the Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Concrete with Recycled Nanoplastics for Enhanced Sustainability

Researchers investigated the effects of incorporating recycled nanoplastics into concrete mixtures, evaluating the impact on mechanical properties including tensile, compressive, and splitting strength as well as thermal stability and insulation, framing nanoplastic waste as a potentially beneficial construction material additive.

2023 Annales de Chimie Science des Matériaux 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Activated char from the co-pyrolysis of polystyrene and olive stone mixtures for the adsorption of CO2

Not relevant to microplastics — this paper converts polystyrene yogurt containers and olive stones into activated carbon materials for CO2 capture, focusing on carbon sequestration rather than plastic particle contamination.

2023 Journal of environmental chemical engineering 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Preparation of Waste PP/Fly Ash/Waste Stone Powder Composites and Evaluation of Their Mechanical Properties

Not relevant to microplastics — this paper examines the mechanical properties of composite materials made from recycled polypropylene combined with fly ash and stone powder for industrial construction applications.

2023 Materials 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Characterization of Hybrid FRP Composite Produced from Recycled PET and CFRP

This paper is not about microplastics — it characterizes the mechanical properties of recycled carbon fiber composites made with PET plastic waste for structural applications.

2023 Polymers 14 citations
Article Tier 2

High-Sulfur-Content Materials Derived from Postconsumer Polystyrene Wastes: Thermomechanical Properties, Environmental Impacts, and Microstructural Insights

Researchers reacted four postconsumer polystyrene waste streams (flatware, cups, lids, packaging) with elemental sulfur to produce high-sulfur-content materials with mechanical strength competitive with Portland cement and fired brick. The approach upcycles microplastic-generating polystyrene waste into durable construction materials, offering a strategy for reducing the contribution of discarded PS to environmental microplastic contamination.

2024 ACS Sustainable Resource Management 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Carbon composites in the mitigation of micro and nanoplastics

This review examines how carbon composites -- including activated carbon, carbon nanotubes, graphene, and biochar-based materials -- can mitigate micro and nanoplastic pollution through physical adsorption, chemical binding, and photocatalytic degradation, analyzing the mechanisms, limitations, and scalability challenges of these approaches across field and laboratory studies.

2024 Physical Sciences Reviews
Article Tier 2

Optimization of Asphalt Concrete Performance Using Waste Plastic Bottles (WPB) as a Sustainable Bitumen Modifier: A Comprehensive Rheological and Mechanical Assessment

Not relevant to microplastics — this study evaluates waste plastic bottles as a bitumen modifier to improve asphalt road performance, testing mechanical and thermal properties; it addresses plastic reuse in construction rather than environmental microplastic pollution.

2026 American Journal of Civil Engineering
Article Tier 2

Synthesis Of Bio-Derived Carbon Reinforced LDPE Composite From Waste Plastic And Its Characterization For Possible Applications

Researchers developed a composite material by incorporating activated carbon (AC) nanoparticles derived from coconut shells into low-density polyethylene (LDPE) via melt blending at varying ratios. The resulting composites showed reduced density alongside enhanced physical, thermal, and functional properties, with potential applications in environmental remediation and sustainable packaging.

2025 International Journal of Environmental Sciences
Article Tier 2

The role and significance of graphene oxide in the remediation of micro- and nanoplastics from the environment

This review examines how graphene oxide, a carbon-based material with a very large surface area, can be used to remove microplastics and nanoplastics from water. Graphene oxide showed impressive removal capacity for polystyrene microplastics through adsorption. The technology could be an important tool for developing more effective water treatment systems that protect people from microplastic contamination.

2025 RSC Advances 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Adaptable Polyurethane Networks Containing Tertiary Amines as Intrinsic Bond Exchange Catalyst

Not relevant to microplastics — this is a polymer chemistry study developing recyclable polyurethane vitrimer materials that incorporate an intrinsic catalyst for bond exchange, improving their thermomechanical properties and recyclability.

2024 Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Structure-oriented conversions of plastics to carbon nanomaterials

This review examines strategies for converting waste plastics into carbon nanomaterials including nanotubes, graphene, and porous carbon, highlighting how different plastic structures influence the resulting carbon products and offering a promising approach to reduce plastic pollution.

2022 Carbon Research 84 citations
Article Tier 2

Fragmentation of polymer nanocomposites: modulation by dry and wet weathering, fractionation, and nanomaterial filler

Environmental weathering of polymer nanocomposites — plastics embedded with carbon nanotubes, graphene, or inorganic nanoparticles — causes them to fragment and release both microplastics and engineered nanomaterials. This dual release creates complex mixtures of contaminants with unknown combined effects on ecosystems and human health.

2020 Environmental Science Nano 36 citations
Article Tier 2

Acoustic and thermal characterization of a novel sustainable material incorporating recycled microplastic waste

Researchers created a new eco-friendly foam material by embedding recovered marine microplastics into a bio-based matrix, producing an open-cell insulating material with strong acoustic and thermal properties. The innovation offers a potential path to upcycle hard-to-recycle mixed marine plastic waste into useful building and industrial insulation products.

2021 Sustainable materials and technologies 52 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene Waste Recycling Process as an Alternative Antistatic Packaging Raw Material

Researchers synthesized a composite from recycled polystyrene and coconut shell carbon black that could serve as antistatic packaging material, demonstrating a value-added use for styrofoam waste.

2023 E3S Web of Conferences
Article Tier 2

Upcycling Waste Plastics into Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Composites via NiCo2O4 Catalytic Pyrolysis

Researchers used catalytic pyrolysis — heating plastic waste with metal catalysts — to convert post-consumer plastics into carbon nanotube composites, a high-value industrial material. Bimetallic nickel-cobalt catalysts produced the best results. This approach could help valorize plastic waste while reducing the volumes that end up in the environment as microplastic pollution.

2021 Catalysts 21 citations
Article Tier 2

Thermomechanical recycling of post-consumer poly(ethylene terephthalate) bottles and post-industrial polyamide 6 fishing nets reinforced with organo- modified montmorillonite

Not directly relevant to microplastic pollution research. This study examines blending recycled PET bottles with recycled fishing-net nylon to make stronger composite materials—a plastics recycling and materials science study rather than one focused on microplastic environmental or health impacts.

2026
Article Tier 2

Investigation of Mechanical and Thermal Performance of Nanoclay Modified Concrete for Energy Efficiency

Not relevant to microplastics — this paper reviews how adding nanoclay modifies the mechanical and thermal properties of concrete, focusing on fire resistance, thermal conductivity, and structural performance in construction.

2023 Annales de Chimie Science des Matériaux 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Biomass- and Carbon Dioxide-Derived Polyurethane Networks for Thermal Interface Material Applications

Not relevant to microplastics — this paper reports the synthesis of crosslinked polyurethane networks from CO₂- and biomass-derived monomers via ball milling, targeting thermal interface material applications where heat dissipation from electronics is needed.

2024 Polymers 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Carbon materials derived from single-use plastics (SUPs) and their applications in pollution mitigation: Challenges and perspectives

This review examines strategies for converting single-use plastic waste into value-added carbon-based materials through thermal, chemical, and catalytic transformation techniques including pyrolysis, carbonization, and chemical activation. The authors assess how these approaches address microplastic contamination risks while contributing to circular economy frameworks by repurposing non-degradable plastic residues.

2025 Environmental Surfaces and Interfaces
Article Tier 2

Characterization of Composites from Post-Consumer Polypropylene and Oilseed Pomace Fillers

This paper is not relevant to microplastics research; it characterizes wood-plastic composites made from recycled polypropylene and agricultural pomace fillers, evaluating mechanical properties for construction applications rather than addressing plastic pollution.

2024 Polymers 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Mechanical Properties Optimization of Hybrid Aramid and Jute Fabrics-Reinforced Graphene Nanoplatelets in Functionalized HDPE Matrix Nanocomposites

This is a materials science study optimizing the mechanical properties of a jute-aramid hybrid polymer composite reinforced with graphene nanoplatelets; it is not a microplastics research paper.

2023 Polymers 11 citations