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Papers
61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to A Transient Supercapacitor with a Water-Dissolvable Ionic Gel for Sustainable Electronics
ClearGreen polymer electrolyte and activated charcoal-based supercapacitor for energy harvesting application: Electrochemical characteristics
Researchers developed a green polymer battery component using chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol as alternatives to conventional plastic materials, motivated by concerns about microplastic pollution from electronic waste. While primarily an engineering study, the work directly addresses how plastic components in electronics contribute to the growing microplastic problem in oceans. Developing biodegradable alternatives for electronic components could help reduce the flow of microplastics from discarded devices into the environment.
End-of-Life usefulness of degradation by products from transient electronics
Researchers reviewed transient electronics, devices designed to disintegrate after their operational life to reduce electronic waste. The study examined whether the degradation byproducts of these devices are truly benign or could contribute to environmental contamination, including potential microplastic generation from polymer components.
Polyaniline Sandwiched Ultra-strong PVA/PAA Hybrid Hydrogel for Low-temperature Resistant Supercapacitors and Strain Sensors
Researchers developed a tough, low-temperature-resistant hydrogel material for use in flexible electronics and energy storage devices. While focused on materials engineering, advances in flexible electronics that avoid brittle plastic components could reduce certain types of plastic waste.
Biodegradable PEDOT:PSS/Clay Composites for Multifunctional Green‐Electronic Materials
Researchers developed biodegradable PEDOT:PSS/montmorillonite clay composites with nacre-inspired layered nanostructures that are degradable by superworm larvae while maintaining multifunctional electronic properties. The work demonstrates a path toward reducing both electronic waste and microplastic pollution from conventional conductive polymer materials.
Electrochemical and physicochemical degradability evaluation of printed flexible carbon electrodes in seawater
Researchers developed a biodegradable, graphite-based electrode printed on a plant-derived plastic that can monitor water quality and dissolves quickly in seawater after use, offering an eco-friendly alternative to conventional sensor materials that leave behind non-degradable plastic and metal pollution.
Enhancing PolyelectrolyteStrength of Biopolymersfor Fully Recyclable and Biodegradable Plastics
Researchers developed a fully recyclable and biodegradable plastic material created through solid polyelectrolyte complexation of naturally occurring biopolymers, enhancing their polyelectrolyte strength to achieve mechanical properties competitive with conventional single-use packaging plastics. The study demonstrated that this approach addresses both the microplastic pollution problem and fossil fuel dependence while enabling end-of-life recyclability.
Toward Wet Wipes That Turn into Toilet Paper Debris When Flushed Through Reversible Biopolyelectrolyte Self-Assembly
This study developed wet wipes designed to disintegrate into toilet paper-like debris when flushed, using reversible biopolyelectrolyte self-assembly to create a product that maintains performance during use but degrades during wastewater treatment.
Cleanly Removable and Degradable Bio‐Based Adhesive for Flexible Displays
Researchers developed a new bio-based adhesive for flexible displays that can be cleanly removed with UV light and then broken down into its original building blocks for recycling. Unlike conventional acrylic adhesives that leave residue and persist as non-degradable microplastics, this new material uses lipoic acid compounds that degrade with a simple green reducing agent. The technology could help reduce plastic waste from electronics by making display components easier to separate and recycle.
Biodegradability of Polyvinyl Alcohol Based Film Used for Liquid Detergent Capsules
Researchers confirmed the biodegradability of polyvinyl alcohol film used in liquid detergent capsules through ready biodegradation screening tests, addressing concerns that these water-soluble capsule films might contribute to environmental microplastic accumulation.
Synthesis of recyclable and light-weight graphene oxide/chitosan/genipin sponges for the adsorption of diclofenac, triclosan, and microplastics
Researchers created a lightweight, recyclable sponge made from graphene oxide, chitosan, and genipin that can effectively remove microplastics and pharmaceutical contaminants from water. The sponge maintained its effectiveness through multiple reuse cycles, making it a practical and affordable water treatment option. This type of technology could help reduce human exposure to microplastics and other harmful substances in drinking water.
Enhancing Polyelectrolyte Strength of Biopolymers for Fully Recyclable and Biodegradable Plastics
This study developed a biodegradable and fully recyclable plastic material by forming solid polyelectrolyte complexes from naturally occurring charged polymers, achieving stiffness comparable to conventional plastics while enabling composting or dissolution-based recycling — with no microplastic residue.
An ultra-light sustainable sponge for elimination of microplastics and nanoplastics
Researchers created an ultra-light sponge from corn starch and gelatin that can capture micro- and nanoplastics from water and food with up to 90% efficiency by simple pressing. The sponge is fully biodegradable and can be broken down by enzymes into glucose after use. The study presents a low-cost, sustainable tool for removing tiny plastic particles from contaminated environments without creating additional waste.
Solvent-free chemical upcycling of poly(bisphenol A carbonate) and poly(lactic acid) plastic waste using SBA-15-functionalized basic ionic liquids
Researchers developed a solvent-free method to break down polycarbonate and polylactic acid plastic waste into their original building-block chemicals. The study used specially designed catalysts based on ionic liquids attached to a porous silica framework. The findings suggest this approach could support a more circular economy by efficiently converting plastic waste back into valuable raw materials without requiring harmful solvents.
Mechanically durable anti-bacteria non-fluorinated superhydrophobic sponge for highly efficient and fast microplastic and oil removal
A superhydrophobic sponge was engineered to selectively remove microplastics and oil from water, achieving high removal efficiency while also demonstrating antibacterial properties. The material maintained its performance across repeated use cycles, offering a promising approach for practical water treatment applications.
Nature-derived hydrogel for microplastic removal
Scientists developed a nature-based hydrogel made from chitin and lignin that can remove nanoplastics from wastewater with very high efficiency, absorbing up to 1,791 milligrams of plastic per gram of material. This sustainable, reusable filter could help reduce the amount of tiny plastic particles that reach drinking water and ultimately the human body.
Revivable self-assembled supramolecular biomass fibrous framework for efficient microplastic removal
Scientists developed a sustainable material made from chitin and cellulose, two natural compounds, that can efficiently remove multiple types of microplastics from water. The material can be regenerated and reused multiple times without losing effectiveness, making it a practical tool for water cleanup. This type of affordable, eco-friendly filtration technology could help reduce human exposure to microplastics in drinking water.
Isinglass as an Alternative Biopolymer Membrane for Green Electrochemical Devices: Initial Studies of Application in Electric Double-Layer Capacitors and Future Perspectives
This paper is not about microplastics; it develops a biodegradable isinglass (fish-derived) biopolymer membrane as an eco-friendly separator for electric double-layer capacitors, a type of energy storage device.
Seawater degradation of PLA accelerated by water-soluble PVA
Researchers developed seawater-degradable PVA/PLA polymer blends and found that adding water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol significantly accelerated the degradation of polylactic acid in natural seawater over 180 days compared to pure PLA.
Fabrication and Characterization of Biomass-derived Superabsorbent Bio-gel
Not relevant to microplastics — this paper develops and tests bio-based superabsorbent gels made from carboxymethyl cellulose as sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based superabsorbent polymers for water retention applications.
(Invited) Marine Plastic Waste-Based Supercapacitors for Saving Remote Island
This study explores repurposing marine plastic waste to construct supercapacitors for energy storage in remote island communities, addressing both plastic pollution and energy access challenges.
Eutectic solvents and low molecular weight gelators for next-generation supramolecular eutectogels: a sustainable chemistry perspective
This paper is not about microplastics. It reviews eutectic solvents (specialized liquid mixtures) combined with low-molecular-weight gelators to form supramolecular gels, discussed from a sustainable chemistry perspective. The study addresses green chemistry and materials science with no connection to microplastic pollution.
Shellac-paper composite as a green substrate for printed electronics
Researchers developed a shellac-paper composite substrate as a biodegradable alternative to plastic films for printed electronics, demonstrating comparable electrical performance while avoiding the microplastic pollution generated by conventional polyethylene terephthalate substrates.
Organic–Inorganic Multilayer Microcarriers with Superior Mechanical Properties for Potential Active Delivery in Fast-Moving Consumer Goods
Researchers developed an eco-friendly microcapsule made with a calcium carbonate shell as a sustainable replacement for conventional microplastic-based capsules used in consumer products. These new capsules demonstrated record-breaking mechanical strength and controlled release of fragrance compounds over several days. The innovation offers a path toward eliminating microplastic ingredients in everyday products like laundry detergents and personal care items.
Scalable nanoplastic degradation in water with enzyme-functionalized porous hydrogels
Researchers developed a sponge-like material loaded with plastic-eating enzymes that can break down nanoplastics (ultra-tiny plastic particles) in water. The enzyme-loaded sponges worked as well as free-floating enzymes but were more stable and could be reused multiple times. This approach could offer a practical way to clean nanoplastic contamination from drinking water and other water sources.