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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Waste medical mask-derived carbon quantum dots enhance the photocatalytic degradation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) over BiOBr/g-C3N4 S-scheme heterojunction
ClearBio-carbon quantum dot modified TiO 2 nanocrystals for photocatalytic degradation of PLA and PET microplastics
Researchers developed a photocatalyst by modifying titanium dioxide nanocrystals with bio-based carbon quantum dots to degrade PET and PLA microplastics under visible light. The composite achieved degradation rates of 28.9% for PET and 59.8% for PLA microplastics within 48 hours in alkaline conditions. The study demonstrates a promising approach for breaking down common microplastic pollutants using sunlight-driven catalysis.
From waste to energy: luminescent solar concentrators based on carbon dots derived from surgical facemasks
Researchers converted discarded surgical face masks into carbon dots and used them to fabricate luminescent solar concentrators, achieving a solar-to-energy conversion efficiency of 6.1% while diverting pandemic-era plastic waste from landfills.
Preparation of heterojunction C3N4/WO3 photocatalyst for degradation of microplastics in water
Researchers synthesized a carbon nitride/tungsten oxide heterojunction photocatalyst that effectively degrades PET microplastics in water while simultaneously generating hydrogen, offering a dual-benefit approach to addressing plastic pollution through photocatalysis.
Production of Carbon Quantum Dots Based on Oil Palm Fronds for Polyethylene and Polyethylene Terephthalate Microplastics Detection
Researchers synthesized carbon quantum dots from oil palm frond waste and tested their fluorescence properties for detecting polyethylene and PET microplastics. The bio-based quantum dots provided a cost-effective and environmentally friendly sensing approach for identifying common plastic polymers in environmental samples.
Plastic-derived carbon dots for sustainable environmental applications
Researchers developed a method to convert waste plastic into carbon dots — ultrasmall carbon nanomaterials with tunable photoluminescence and low toxicity — offering a sustainable approach to upcycling non-biodegradable plastic waste for environmental sensing and remediation applications.
Efficient photocatalytic degradation of microplastics by constructing a novel Z-scheme Fe-doped BiO2−x/BiOI heterojunction with full-spectrum response: Mechanistic insights and theory calculations
Researchers developed a new photocatalyst that can break down PET microplastics in water using the full spectrum of light, including visible light. The iron-doped material created deep cracks in PET plastic within just 10 hours of light exposure. This technology could eventually help remove microplastics from water treatment systems, reducing the amount that reaches drinking water.
Synergistic dual-defect band engineering for highly efficient photocatalytic degradation of microplastics via Nb-induced oxygen vacancies in SnO2 quantum dots
Researchers engineered a new material using niobium-doped tin oxide quantum dots that can break down polyethylene microplastics in water using visible light. The material works through a photocatalytic process, meaning sunlight can power the degradation of microplastics in real-world water conditions. This technology could offer a practical way to clean microplastic-contaminated water sources.
Plastic Waste-Derived Carbon Dots: Insights of Recycling Valuable Materials Towards Environmental Sustainability
Researchers review how waste plastics, including single-use items that surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, can be converted into carbon dots — tiny light-emitting nanoparticles under 10 nanometers — with useful applications in sensing, imaging, and catalysis. This recycling approach offers an environmentally sustainable way to transform a persistent pollution problem into valuable high-tech materials.
Low Environmental Impact Remediation of Microplastics: Visible-Light Photocatalytic Degradation of PET Microplastics Using Bio-Inspired C,N-TiO2/SiO2 Photocatalysts
Researchers developed bio-inspired carbon and nitrogen co-doped TiO2/SiO2 photocatalysts capable of degrading PET microplastics under visible light, offering a low-energy alternative to UV-based photocatalysis for remediating microplastic contamination in aquatic environments.
Pollutants to Products: A Tailored Multicomponent Photocatalyst for Simultaneous CO 2 and Plastic Waste Conversion
Researchers developed a photocatalyst that simultaneously converts CO2 and PET plastic waste into useful chemicals (CO, methane, ethylene glycol) using only light, with CO2 reduced at over 95% selectivity. The dual-use design eliminates the need for chemical sacrificial agents by using plastic as the electron donor for CO2 reduction. Beyond plastic recycling, the system also suggests a pathway for degrading microplastics, offering a single solar-driven process that tackles two major pollution problems at once.
Photoreforming of PET and PLA microplastics for sustainable hydrogen production using TiO2 and g-C3N4 photocatalysts
Researchers used photoreforming—a light-driven process—to break down PET and PLA microplastics while simultaneously generating hydrogen gas, demonstrating a dual-benefit approach that addresses plastic pollution while producing clean energy from waste plastic.
Carbon Nanomaterials from Polyolefin Waste: Effective Catalysts for Quinoline Degradation through Catalytic Wet Peroxide Oxidation
Researchers converted mixed polyolefin plastic waste into carbon nanomaterials and used them as catalysts for quinoline degradation through catalytic wet peroxide oxidation, achieving effective removal of this toxic compound. The approach simultaneously addresses plastic waste accumulation and wastewater treatment challenges using a circular chemistry strategy.
Enhanced degradation of polyethylene terephthalate plastics by CdS/CeO2 heterojunction photocatalyst activated peroxymonosulfate
Scientists developed a photocatalytic system using cadmium sulfide and cerium oxide that can break down PET plastic waste with remarkable efficiency, achieving over 93% weight loss. The process works by activating a chemical oxidant under light, generating reactive species that decompose the plastic. This research points toward a potentially scalable method for recycling one of the most common plastic types found in bottles and packaging.
Encapsulation of carbon-nanodots into metal-organic frameworks for boosting photocatalytic upcycling of polyvinyl chloride plastic
Researchers created a new material by embedding tiny carbon nanodots inside a metal-organic framework to break down PVC plastic waste using light energy. The combined material performed significantly better than either component alone, converting PVC into useful chemical products like formic acid and acetic acid. This photocatalytic approach offers a promising path toward recycling one of the most difficult-to-process types of plastic waste.
Low environmental impact remediation of microplastics: Visible-light photocatalytic degradation of PET microplastics using bio-inspired C,N-TiO2/SiO2 photocatalysts
Researchers developed a new light-powered cleaning method using modified titanium dioxide to break down PET microplastics in water. The process works under visible light at room temperature, making it more practical and environmentally friendly than other cleanup approaches. This matters because PET is one of the most common plastics found polluting waterways.
Efficiency of Hybrid Materials for Photocatalytic Degradation of Micro‐ and Nano‐Plastics
Researchers reviewed how hybrid materials — combinations of multiple substances engineered at the nanoscale — can serve as highly effective photocatalysts to break down microplastics and nanoplastics using light energy. These multi-functional materials improve electron separation and reaction efficiency compared to single-component catalysts, representing a promising technological pathway for removing persistent plastic particles from the environment.
Catalytic Amounts of an Antibacterial Monomer Enable the Upcycling of Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) Waste
Scientists developed a new method to recycle PET plastic waste (commonly used in bottles) into high-value antibacterial material using only small amounts of a special monomer. This approach addresses both plastic pollution and the need for antimicrobial materials, while avoiding the biotoxicity problems of traditional metal-based antibacterial agents. The technique represents a promising way to upcycle plastic waste rather than simply discarding it.
Upcycling of face masks to application-rich multi- and single-walled carbon nanotubes
Disposable face masks from the COVID-19 pandemic were converted into high-value single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes through a thermal upcycling process. The resulting nanotubes showed properties suitable for use in electronics and materials applications. This approach demonstrates a path for converting pandemic plastic waste into advanced materials rather than landfill.
Photoluminescence of Argan-Waste-Derived Carbon Nanodots Embedded in Polymer Matrices
Not relevant to microplastics — this study creates photoluminescent carbon nanodots from argan waste and embeds them in transparent polymer films intended to improve solar panel efficiency by converting UV light, with no connection to microplastic pollution.
Upcycling discarded cellulosic surgical masks into catalytically active freestanding materials
Researchers developed a method to upcycle discarded cellulosic surgical masks into catalytically active freestanding materials, repurposing pandemic-generated plastic waste into functional industrial materials. The study demonstrated that the cellulosic fiber structure of surgical masks could be converted into usable catalytic substrates through chemical processing.
Enhancing Microplastic Degradation through Synergistic Photocatalytic and Pretreatment Approaches
Researchers developed a combined photocatalytic and hydrothermal pretreatment approach for degrading PET microplastics. They found that pretreating PET microplastics before photocatalysis improved degradation efficiency by nearly 7 to 9 times compared to untreated particles. The enhanced performance was attributed to increased surface porosity and hydrophilicity of the pretreated microplastics, with hydroxyl radicals identified as the primary driver of degradation.
Aqueous synthesis of Nb-modified SnO 2 quantum dots for efficient photocatalytic degradation of polyethylene for in situ agricultural waste treatment
Researchers developed low-cost quantum dot catalysts that can break down low-density polyethylene agricultural film in situ using light, offering a potential on-farm solution to plastic mulch waste. Agricultural plastic films are a major source of microplastic contamination in farmland soils worldwide.
Revolutionizing microplastic detection in water through quantum dot fluorescence
Researchers developed a novel approach using carbon quantum dots to stain microplastics, enabling fluorescence-based detection in water at low cost and with simple synthesis, demonstrating high sensitivity and selectivity without the toxicity concerns of conventional fluorescent dyes.
Waste Surgical Masks as Precursors of Activated Carbon: A Circular Economy Approach to Mitigate the Impact of Microplastics and Emerging Dye Contaminants
Waste surgical masks were converted into activated carbon materials through pyrolysis, demonstrating a circular approach for handling the surge in disposable mask waste generated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Repurposing mask waste as functional carbon avoids its fragmentation into microplastics in the environment.