Literature by the same author
plus at Google Scholar

Bibliografische Daten exportieren
 

Degradation of low-density polyethylene to nanoplastic particles by accelerated weathering

Title data

Menzel, Teresa ; Meides, Nora ; Mauel, Anika ; Mansfeld, Ulrich ; Kretschmer, Winfried ; Kuhn, Meike ; Herzig, Eva M. ; Altstädt, Volker ; Strohriegl, Peter ; Senker, Jürgen ; Ruckdäschel, Holger:
Degradation of low-density polyethylene to nanoplastic particles by accelerated weathering.
In: Science of the Total Environment. Vol. 826 (2022) . - No. 154035.
ISSN 0048-9697
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154035

Official URL: Volltext

Abstract in another language

When plastics enter the environment, they are exposed to abiotic and biotic impacts, resulting in degradation and the formation of micro- and nanoplastic. Microplastic is ubiquitous in every environmental compartment. Nevertheless, the underlying degradation processes are not yet fully understood. Here, we studied the abiotic degradation of commonly used semi-crystalline, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) in a long-term accelerated weathering experiment combining several macro- and microscopic methods. Based on our observations, the degradation of LDPE proceeds in three stages. Initially, LDPE objects are prone to abrasion, followed by a period of surface cracking. A large number of secondary particles with a high degree of crystallinity are formed, with sizes down to the nanometer scale. These particles consist of highly polar oligomers leading to agglomeration in the final stage. We therefore suppose that weathered microplastic and nanoplastic particles will attach to colloidal environmental matter. This offers an explanation for the absence of free nanoplastic particles in natural samples.

Further data

Item Type: Article in a journal
Refereed: Yes
Keywords: Microplastic; Agglomeration; Surface fragmentation; Three-stage model; Semi-crystalline; Polymer chain defects
Institutions of the University: Faculties
Faculties > Faculty of Mathematics, Physics und Computer Science
Faculties > Faculty of Mathematics, Physics und Computer Science > Department of Physics
Faculties > Faculty of Mathematics, Physics und Computer Science > Department of Physics > Juniorprofessor Experimental Physics VII - Dynamics and Structure Formation
Faculties > Faculty of Mathematics, Physics und Computer Science > Department of Physics > Juniorprofessor Experimental Physics VII - Dynamics and Structure Formation > Juniorprofessor Experimental Physics VII - Dynamics and Structure Formation - Juniorprof. Dr. Eva M. Herzig
Research Institutions > Collaborative Research Centers, Research Unit > SFB 1357 - MIKROPLASTIK
Research Institutions
Research Institutions > Collaborative Research Centers, Research Unit
Result of work at the UBT: Yes
DDC Subjects: 500 Science > 530 Physics
Date Deposited: 10 Mar 2022 07:53
Last Modified: 20 Oct 2022 11:15
URI: https://eref.uni-bayreuth.de/id/eprint/68885