Ranking the accelerated weathering of plastic polymers

Hoseini, Maryam; Stead, Jess; Bond, Tom

doi:10.1039/d3em00295k

Cited by 7 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 53 publications

(144 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The baselines of the atlas were corrected using the manual mode in the Omnic (Version 9.2), and the maps were smoothed (13 smoothing points). The CI was calculated as the ratio of the integrated absorbance area of the carbonyl (C=O) peak between 1850 and 1650 cm −1 to the integrated absorbance area of the methylene (-CH 2 ) peak between 1500 and 1420 cm −1 , I added theaccording to the methods of Maryam Hoseini et al [27].…”

Section: Characterization Of Pe and Pla Mps Before And After Agingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparing the Aging Processes of PLA and PE: The Impact of UV Irradiation and Water

Wang,

Chen,

Jia

et al. 2024

Processes

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The aging processes of microplastics (MPs) are prevalent in natural environments. Understanding the aging mechanisms of MPs is crucial for assessing their environmental behavior and potential risks. In this study, we selected polylactic acid (PLA) and polyethylene (PE) as representatives of biodegradable and conventional plastics, respectively, to examine changes in their physicochemical properties induced by water and UV light exposure. Laboratory aging resulted in significant fragmentation, characterized by cracks and pores on the surfaces, for both types of MPs, with PLA MPs exhibiting more severe changes, particularly under combined UV and water exposure. Notably, PLA MPs tended to become progressively smaller after aging, whereas PE MPs did not show significant size changes. Chemical analyses of aged MPs using micro-Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed a substantial increase in the carbonyl index (CI) and oxygen content for PE, suggesting surface oxidation during photo-oxidation. Conversely, PLA MPs displayed a CI decrease, along with an oxygen content increase, indicating the breakdown of ester linkages in PLA and the formation of other oxidation products. Furthermore, we developed and optimized pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py–GC–MS) methods to identify potential chemical degradation products of PE and PLA, considering their differing thermal stabilities. We observed a distinct trend regarding the peaks in the chromatogram of aged MPs and identified the typical oxidation and crosslinking products for PLA. Additionally, after the aging process, both PE and PLA exhibited a significant increase in organic carbon content, with the eluate containing submicron/nano-sized particles. This study provides a scientific foundation for a deeper understanding of the environmental aging mechanisms of various MPs, particularly in regards to the effects of UV irradiation and water exposure.

show abstract

Section: Characterization Of Pe and Pla Mps Before And After Agingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparing the Aging Processes of PLA and PE: The Impact of UV Irradiation and Water

Wang,

Chen,

Jia

et al. 2024

Processes

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Given the low number of buttertubs and standard deviation (Table 3.4), there is not enough evidence for a conclusive rate of mass loss. PP without any additives is inherently unstable and therefore all PP contains a large number of antioxidants to prevent degradation (Hoseini et al, 2023).…”

Section: Mass Loss and Fragmentationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Flood induced buttertub spill reveals riverine plastic transport dynamics

Hauk,

Ploeg,

Teuling

et al. 2024

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

During the July 2021 European floods approximately 8 million empty dairy packaging (buttertubs) were flushed from a dairy processing facility in Belgium into the Vesdre river. Some were transported further downstream, into the Ourthe river and eventually the Meuse river. There are many unknowns when it comes to plastic transport in rivers, especially in response to floods. We therefore used this incident as an unique opportunity to study these buttertubs as a tracer for plastic transport dynamics in a riverine environment in response to an extreme flood event. Normally, it is unknown when and where individual plastic items found on riverbanks entered the environment. In this case, however, the ID stamps on the buttercups allowed for them to be traced back to the flooding of the factory. We studied the transport and deposition of these buttertubs in the Dutch Meuse over two years following the flood. We also collected buttertubs at different points in time to investigate their fragmentation and mass loss. Within three weeks of the flood, the buttertubs were transported up to 328 km from the spilling location. Overall, the majority (78%) of buttertubs we found within the first three weeks were deposited within less than 100 km of the point of emission. Over the following two years, the mean transport distance of the found buttertubs moved downstream from 100 km in July/August 2021, to 153 km in July 2023. The buttertubs average transport velocity decreased from 11.7 km/d within the first three weeks, to 0.2 km/d by July 2023. Based on the 89 buttertubs we collected and analyzed in detail over the two years, we did not find a significant mass loss. Of all 89 buttertubs found, 47 showed cracks and only 12 appeared to have pieces missing. This study shows that even during extreme flood events, the majority of spilled plastic litter is retained within a limited distance after being emitted into the river. The findings of this study can be utilized to improve plastic transport modelling, and overall better understand plastic transport in the freshwater environment.

show abstract

Effects of photodegradation performance with PLA‐containing samples on double injection molding

Li,

Lin,

Xie

et al. 2024

J of Applied Polymer Sci

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The influence of different overlay layers (ABS, PC, and PLA) is investigated on the photodegradation behavior of poly(lactic acid) (PLA)‐containing samples in double injection molding, and PLA/PLA samples serve as the control group. In terms of microstructure, an analysis is conducted on the chemical structure, thermal performance, crystallinity, and molecular weight of the base layer of samples. The carbonyl index and molecular weight of the base layer of PLA/PLA samples decrease rapidly, and the trend of crystallinity change is also fast. Among them, the number of molecular chain scissions decreases to 0.61, and the crystallinity increases to a maximum of 17.93%, which indicates that the photodegradation degree of the base layer of PLA/PLA samples is greater than that of the other two samples. The microscopic surface morphology change of the base layer of three PLA‐containing samples is analyzed. The base layer of PLA/PLA samples becomes rougher after 600 h of UV degradation. Meanwhile, compared with other PLA‐containing samples, the percentage of tensile strength loss of PLA/PLA samples is higher, decreasing by 16.64%. In summary, using acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polycarbonate (PC) materials as overlay layers for double injection molding can mitigate the photodegradation of the base layer of PLA‐containing samples in double injection molding.

show abstract

Ranking the accelerated weathering of plastic polymers

Abstract: The timespans over which different plastics degrade in the environment are poorly understood. This study aimed to rank the degradation speed of five widespread plastic polymers - low density polyethylene...

Cited by 7 publications

References 53 publications

Comparing the Aging Processes of PLA and PE: The Impact of UV Irradiation and Water

Comparing the Aging Processes of PLA and PE: The Impact of UV Irradiation and Water

Flood induced buttertub spill reveals riverine plastic transport dynamics

Effects of photodegradation performance with PLA‐containing samples on double injection molding

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About