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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Surface Mechanical Properties and Topological Characteristics of Thermoplastic Copolyesters after Precisely Controlled Abrasion
ClearOn the Formation and Characterization of Nanoplastics During Surface Wear Processes
Researchers characterized nanoplastic particle generation during surface wear processes, finding that mechanical abrasion of bulk plastic materials produces a broad size distribution of particles including sub-100 nm fragments, with surface wear rate depending on polymer hardness and contact conditions.
Formation of microplastic fibers and fibrils during abrasion of a representative set of 12 polyester textiles
Abrasion testing of representative polyester fabrics generated microplastic fibers and fibrils, with fiber characteristics reflecting the mechanical and chemical properties of the parent textile. The findings suggest that real-life wear and abrasion during use, not just laundering, is a significant pathway for microfiber release from synthetic textiles.
Role of Structural Morphology of Commodity Polymers in Microplastics and Nanoplastics Formation: Fragmentation, Effects and Associated Toxicity in the Aquatic Environment
This review examines how the structural morphology and chemical composition of commodity polymers influence the formation and environmental behaviour of microplastics and nanoplastics, arguing that chemical degradation pathways have been largely overlooked in favour of purely physical abrasion explanations for plastic fragmentation.
Novel Release Mechanism of Microplastics and Nanoplastics by Environmentally Relevant Sand Abrasion
Researchers designed a device to quantify microplastic and nanoplastic release from LDPE films through surface abrasion by dry sand over seven months. They found that degradation produced particles across a wide size range and characterised dynamic changes in surface chemistry, identifying abrasion as a significant but underappreciated MP generation mechanism.
The effects of sediment properties on the aeolian abrasion and surface characteristics of microplastics
This study used laboratory wind tunnel experiments to examine how microplastics are physically abraded when transported by wind alongside sand and soil particles, testing angular, sub-rounded, and rounded sediment grains over extended periods. The abrasion altered the surface chemistry and texture of the plastic particles in ways that could affect how they interact with pollutants and organisms in the environment. The work reveals that wind transport does not merely move microplastics — it transforms them, potentially changing their environmental hazard profile.
Characterization of microfibers released from chemically modified polyester fabrics — A step towards mitigation
This study characterized microfibers released from chemically modified polyester fabrics during abrasion, finding that surface treatments altered fiber release rates and morphology. The results inform strategies to reduce microfiber pollution from synthetic textiles at the manufacturing and use stages.
Macroplastic surface characteristics change during wind abrasion
Laboratory wind tunnel experiments showed that wind-driven abrasion of macroplastics on sandy surfaces produces distinct surface features and generates secondary microplastic particles, demonstrating that wind erosion is a meaningful pathway for plastic fragmentation in arid and coastal environments.
Nanoscale Abrasive Wear of Polyethylene: A Novel Approach To Probe Nanoplastic Release at the Single Asperity Level
Scientists created a new method using atomic force microscopy to measure exactly how nanoplastics are released when sand grains scrape against polyethylene surfaces. They found that UV-weathered plastic released nanoplastics at ten times the rate of new plastic, through a different mechanism (cutting instead of plowing). This research provides the first quantitative measurements of nanoplastic release rates, helping predict how much nanoplastic pollution enters the environment from degrading plastic waste.
Formation of Fiber Fragments during Abrasion of Polyester Textiles
Researchers investigated how physical abrasion of polyester textiles produces microplastic fibers and found that the process generates both standard-diameter fibers and much finer fibrils, some as thin as 2.4 micrometers. The number of fibrils produced during abrasion exceeded the number of regular microplastic fibers, and abrasion released 5 to 30 times more fiber fragments than washing. The study suggests that everyday wear of synthetic clothing may be a more significant source of microplastic pollution than previously recognized.
Influence of microplastics on small-scale soil surface roughness and implications for wind transport of microplastic particles
Researchers investigated how microplastics mixed into soil affect surface roughness at small scales, finding that microplastics altered surface texture in ways that could increase soil susceptibility to wind erosion and promote atmospheric transport of microplastic particles.
NovelRelease Mechanism of Microplastics and Nanoplasticsby Environmentally Relevant Sand Abrasion
Researchers designed a quantitative abrasion device to study micro- and nanoplastic release from low-density polyethylene films via sand surface abrasion over seven months, characterising released products and correlating release rates with sliding friction input power. They discovered a novel release mechanism whereby MPs and NPs transfer onto sand grain surfaces rather than remaining suspended, representing a previously unrecognised environmental sink and source of plastic particles.
Differences in the release of microplastic fibers and fibrils from virgin and recycled polyester textiles
Researchers compared microplastic fiber and fibril release from virgin versus mechanically recycled polyester textiles during abrasion testing. They analyzed four pairs of commercially available textiles that were identical except for the type of polyester used. The findings provide important data for understanding whether the growing use of recycled polyester in clothing changes the amount or character of microplastic shedding during wear.
Aging behavior of microplastics accelerated by mechanical fragmentation: alteration of intrinsic and extrinsic properties
Researchers mechanically fragmented polystyrene, polypropylene, and PET microplastics to simulate environmental aging, finding that fragmentation alters surface chemistry, crystallinity, and heavy metal adsorption capacity, with aging degree measurable through structural changes.
Separation of microplastics from a coastal soil and their surface microscopic features
Researchers separated microplastics from coastal soil in a Chinese reclamation area and examined their surface features using microscopy, finding weathered surfaces covered with cracks and pits. Surface roughness on microplastics is important because it increases their capacity to adsorb chemical pollutants, affecting how they carry toxic substances through the environment.
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.
Investigating Adhesion and Degradation of Polymer Materials for Industrial Applications
This study investigated the adhesion and degradation behaviors of polymer materials used in industrial applications, examining how surface interactions and environmental breakdown contribute to plastic pollution through microplastic generation.
The effects of sediment properties on the aeolian abrasion and surface characteristics of microplastics
Laboratory experiments quantified how sediment properties influence the rate at which wind abrades and fragments exposed microplastics, generating smaller particles. The results improve understanding of aeolian (wind-driven) microplastic fragmentation as a source of airborne micro- and nanoplastics in arid environments.
Surface Chemistry in Environmental Degradation of Polymeric Solids
Researchers reviewed the three main degradation pathways of plastic materials from a surface chemistry perspective: chemical, biological, and mechanical degradation. They described how these processes can occur consecutively or simultaneously in the environment, ultimately producing microplastics. The study provides a scientific framework for understanding how plastics break down into smaller particles, which is essential for developing strategies to address microplastic pollution.
The surface degradation and release of microplastics from plastic films studied by UV radiation and mechanical abrasion
Researchers examined how UV radiation and mechanical abrasion, both individually and combined, cause plastic films to degrade and release microplastics. They found that the combination of UV exposure and physical wear was significantly more damaging than either factor alone, accelerating surface deterioration and particle release. The study provides evidence that everyday environmental conditions can generate substantial quantities of microplastics from common plastic materials.
Macro-, Micro- and Nanomechanical Characterization of Crosslinked Polymers with Very Broad Range of Mechanical Properties
This study compared the mechanical properties of crosslinked polymer networks at macro, micro, and nanoscale, finding that properties measured at different scales are highly correlated in well-defined systems. This materials science research is relevant to understanding how plastic polymers fracture and fragment under mechanical stress, a key step in microplastic formation.
Simulated experimental investigation of microplastic weathering in marine environment
Researchers simulated microplastic weathering under marine conditions, finding that exposure to UV light, saltwater, and mechanical abrasion progressively degraded plastic surfaces, increased surface roughness, and enhanced the adsorption capacity of contaminants onto microplastic particles.
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.
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.
Quantifying Mechanical Abrasion of MWCNT Nanocomposites Used in 3D Printing: Influence of CNT Content on Abrasion Products and Rate of Microplastic Production
Researchers quantified microplastic particle and carbon nanotube release during mechanical abrasion of 3D-printed multiwalled carbon nanotube nanocomposites, finding that abrasion rate and particle characteristics depended strongly on CNT content, raising concerns about nanomaterial release from consumer products.