In recent decades, the accumulation and fragmentation of plastics on the surface of the planet have caused several long-term climatic and health risks. Plastic materials, specifically microplastics (MPs; sizes < 5 mm), have gained significant interest in the global scientific fraternity due to their bioaccumulation, non-biodegradability, and ecotoxicological effects on living organisms. This study explains how microplastics are generated, transported, and disposed of in the environment based on their sources and physicochemical properties. Additionally, the study also examines the impact of COVID-19 on global plastic waste production. The physical and chemical techniques such as SEM-EDX, PLM, FTIR, Raman, TG-DSC, and GC-MS that are employed for the quantification and identification of MPs are discussed. This paper provides insight into conventional and advanced methods applied for microplastic removal from aquatic systems. The finding of this review helps to gain a deeper understanding of research on the toxicity of microplastics on humans, aquatic organisms, and soil ecosystems. Further, the efforts and measures that have been enforced globally to combat MP waste have been highlighted and need to be explored to reduce its potential risk in the future.
In this study, ternary layered double hydroxide (LDH) containing Zn, Cu, and Ni was synthesized successfully using hydrolysis route. Upon calcination at a lower temperature of 350 C, the synthesized lattice transformed into ZnO containing Cu and Ni that can be reformed back to the layered structure simply by a phenomenon known as 'memory effect'. Furthermore, the synthesized lattice was used for the formation of polyaniline (PANI)-based composite material. The structural and morphological details of the as-prepared samples were studied using various spectroscopic techniques, that is, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopyenergy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX), indicating the formation of singlephase ternary LDH as well as the successful incorporation of PANI in the interlayer region. Owing to the combined advantages of LDH and conducting polymer (PANI), zinc copper nickel layered double hydroxide (ZnCuNi-LDH)/PANI composite may be exploited as a potential candidate for a variety of applications in the future.
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