We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Papers
61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Liberation of plastic nanoparticles and organic compounds from three common plastics in water during weathering under UV radiation-free conditions
ClearContribution of free hydroxyl radical to the formation of micro(nano)plastics and release of additives during polyethylene degradation in water
Researchers found that hydroxyl radicals generated from hydrogen peroxide in water significantly accelerate the degradation of polyethylene and the formation of micro- and nano-sized plastic particles. The study, conducted over 620 days, demonstrates that naturally occurring reactive oxygen species in aquatic environments may contribute to the generation and spread of secondary microplastics.
Generation of micro(nano)plastics and migration of plastic additives from Poly(vinyl chloride) in water under radiation-free ambient conditions
Researchers demonstrated that PVC plastic releases micro- and nano-sized particles and chemical additives into water even under radiation-free ambient conditions, with degradation driven by autocatalyzed oxidative processes that produce surface erosion and particle detachment.
Screening the release of chemicals and microplastic particles from diverse plastic consumer products into water under accelerated UV weathering conditions
Researchers exposed eight common plastic consumer products to UV light simulating eight months of weathering and found they released both microplastic particles and hundreds of chemical compounds into water. The UV exposure significantly increased the release of toxic metals and organic chemicals compared to products kept in the dark. Many of the detected substances exceeded safety thresholds, suggesting that sun-degraded plastic products could pose meaningful health and environmental risks.
Elucidating the characteristic of leachates released from microplastics under different aging conditions: Perspectives of dissolved organic carbon fingerprints and nano-plastics
Researchers investigated how different aging conditions affect the release of dissolved organic carbon and nanoplastics from PVC and polystyrene microplastics over 130 days. The study found that UV aging and high temperatures promoted the release of nanoplastics and altered the chemical characteristics of leached substances, with UV-aged treatments producing smaller, rougher nanoparticles that may pose greater ecological risks.
Accelerated photoaging of microplastic - polyethylene terephthalate: physical, chemical, morphological properties and pesticide adsorption
Researchers subjected polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics to accelerated photoaging under simulated sunlight, characterizing changes in surface chemistry, crystallinity, and mechanical properties over time. Photoaging increased surface oxidation, reduced molecular weight, and enhanced the release of plastic additives, suggesting aged PET microplastics present greater chemical hazard than pristine particles.
Release of chemical additives and potentially toxic elements from plastics under ambient outdoor environmental conditions
Researchers placed large pieces of seven commercial plastic polymers outdoors under natural conditions for extended periods and measured the release of phthalates, phenolic compounds, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers, finding that realistic environmental conditions cause significant leaching of toxic chemical additives.
Molecular properties of dissolved organic matter leached from microplastics during photoaging process
Researchers studied the molecular properties of dissolved organic matter that leaches from polyethylene, polypropylene, and PET microplastics during UV-driven photoaging. They found that PET released the most dissolved organic carbon, and that aging transformed protein-like components into humic-like substances. The leachate contained antioxidants, plasticizers, and antimicrobial agents, suggesting that aging microplastics release a complex mix of chemicals into aquatic environments.
Formation of Environmentally Persistent Free Radicals on Microplastics under Light Irradiation
Four types of virgin microplastics were aged under simulated solar irradiation and analyzed by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, finding that polystyrene and phenol-formaldehyde resin produced environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) that decayed slowly, while polyethylene and PVC did not. The study identifies photoaged plastic surfaces as a previously unrecognized source of EPFRs—emerging contaminants with known health risks.
Laboratory simulation of microplastics weathering and its adsorption behaviors in an aqueous environment: A systematic review
UV photo-oxidation and physical abrasion are the most practical laboratory methods for simulating microplastic weathering; aging increases surface area and oxygen-containing functional groups, altering pollutant adsorption behavior and potentially increasing environmental risks.
Progress on the photo aging mechanism of microplastics and related impact factors in water environment
This review examined the photo-aging mechanisms of microplastics in aquatic environments, finding that solar UV radiation drives oxidation reactions that alter surface chemistry, fragment particles further, and enhance their capacity to adsorb and release co-occurring pollutants.
Photoformation of environmentally persistent free radicals on particulate organic matter in aqueous solution: Role of anthracene and formation mechanism
Researchers found that anthracene contamination in water generates environmentally persistent free radicals on particulate organic matter under light exposure, with these radicals persisting for up to 61 hours and subsequently driving indirect photodegradation of other pollutants like bisphenol A through reactive oxygen species production.
Contaminant release from aged microplastic
Researchers exposed recycled plastic granules of polyethylene, PVC, and polystyrene to simulated aging conditions including UV radiation and high temperatures. They found that aging significantly increased the rate at which chemical additives leached from the plastic particles into water, with UV exposure having the greatest effect. The study highlights that weathered microplastics in the environment may release harmful chemicals at much higher rates than fresh plastic materials.
Aging assessment of microplastics (LDPE, PET and uPVC) under urban environment stressors
Researchers aged LDPE, PET, and uPVC microplastics using ozone, UV-C, and solar radiation to simulate urban environmental stressors, finding that each aging agent produced distinct changes in surface morphology, chemical structure, and crystallinity that could alter particle behavior in the environment.
New Insights into the Aging Behavior of Microplastics Accelerated by Advanced Oxidation Processes
Advanced oxidation treatments (heat-activated persulfate and Fenton reaction) were used to accelerate aging of polystyrene and HDPE microplastics, and the resulting surface oxidation was quantified using a new O/C ratio parameter correlated with natural freshwater aging rates. The study provides a standardized parameter for comparing microplastic weathering across studies and linking lab aging experiments to natural environmental conditions.
Weathering effect triggers the sorption enhancement of microplastics against oxybenzone
Researchers found that weathering in air, seawater, and freshwater makes PET microplastics absorb significantly more oxybenzone, a common sunscreen chemical, than fresh plastic does. Aging creates surface cracks and new chemical groups that increase the plastic's ability to bind pollutants. The study suggests that as microplastics weather in the environment, they become more effective carriers of harmful chemicals.
Effect of weathering on the release of secondary microplastic fragments and dissolved organics from microplastics
Researchers systematically investigated how different weathering conditions affect the release of secondary microplastics and dissolved organic carbon from PVC, polyethylene, and biodegradable PBAT plastics. The study found that biodegradable PBAT released the highest amounts of secondary particles and organic carbon, and that combined UV and mechanical aging produced the most significant degradation, enhancing particle release by up to 72% compared to either method alone.
Release of Fluoro-Contained Free Radicals and Polyfluorinated-Like Molecules from Photoaged Fluorinated Microplastics: Identification and Formation Mechanisms
Fluorinated plastics (like PTFE) can release free radicals and polyfluorinated compounds under UV radiation, potentially adding to the environmental load of PFAS-like substances. This research raises concerns about fluorinated microplastics as a previously overlooked source of persistent toxic chemicals in the environment.
Aging Process of Microplastics in the Aquatic Environments: Aging Pathway, Characteristic Change, Compound Effect, and Environmentally Persistent Free Radicals Formation
This review summarizes how microplastics age and transform in aquatic environments through oxidation, weathering, and fragmentation. Researchers documented changes in particle size, crystallinity, and surface chemistry during the aging process, and found that aged microplastics may interact synergistically with other environmental pollutants. The study also describes how photoaging generates environmentally persistent free radicals that could pose additional toxicity concerns.
Study on the photoaging process and metal ion release of plastic films with two kinds of structures in marine environment: Aliphatic and aromatic polymers
Researchers simulated photoaging of aliphatic and aromatic plastic films in marine conditions, finding that aliphatic polymers degrade faster under UV light and that metal ions embedded in all plastics are released at rates correlated with polymer degradation degree rather than polymer type — following second-order kinetics driven by surface and intraparticle diffusion.
ROS-mediated photoaging pathways of nano- and micro-plastic particles under UV irradiation
Researchers investigated the role of reactive oxygen species in the photoaging of nano- and micro-plastic particles under UV irradiation. The study found that bare polystyrene nanoparticles generated hydroxyl radicals and singlet oxygen, while surface coatings and larger particle sizes reduced ROS generation. The findings help explain the mechanisms by which UV exposure breaks down plastic particles in aquatic environments.
A multi-analytical approach to investigate UV-induced degradation and micro/nanoparticle release from disposable plastic face masks
Researchers subjected disposable face masks to long-term UV-B aging in water to assess degradation and pollutant release. Aging caused structural fragmentation, surface oxidation, and the release of chemical additives and micro/nano-plastic particles, demonstrating that improperly disposed masks become a persistent source of both MPs and chemical contaminants.
Gaseous products generated from polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate during ultraviolet irradiation: Mechanism, pathway and toxicological analyses
Researchers identified more than 50 different volatile organic compounds released from polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate microplastics during ultraviolet irradiation in water. The study found that UV-C produced more gaseous byproducts than UV-A, and toxicological analysis suggested that some of these volatile compounds could pose risks to humans and the environment, highlighting an often-overlooked pathway of microplastic degradation.
Hydrophilic Fraction of Dissolved Organic Matter Largely Facilitated Microplastics Photoaging: Insights from Redox Properties and Reactive Oxygen Species
This study investigated how dissolved organic matter in natural water affects the breakdown of microplastics by sunlight. The water-soluble fraction of organic matter was most effective at speeding up microplastic aging by generating reactive oxygen species that attack the plastic surface. This matters because faster breakdown of microplastics in the environment creates smaller, potentially more dangerous nanoplastic particles that can more easily enter living organisms.
Release of harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from photo-degraded plastic debris: A neglected source of environmental pollution
Researchers investigated the release of volatile organic compounds from common plastic polymers including polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyethylene during artificial UV aging. The study found that photo-degraded plastics release harmful VOCs, identifying this as a neglected source of environmental pollution that could pose risks to both ecosystems and human health as plastic debris weathers in the environment.