Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
S. Parrilla-Lahoz, S. Mahebadevan, M. Kauta, M. C. Zambrano, J. J. Pawlak, R. A. Venditti, T. R. Reina, M. S. Duyar
Summary: Micro/nanoplastics have gained attention due to their widespread presence in the environment, and efforts are being made to develop waste valorization approaches for their upcycling. Thermal conversion technologies can generate solid products, oil, and gases from plastic waste, but the carbon emissions produced are comparable to those from traditional fossil fuels. Therefore, it is necessary to develop processes specifically for micro/nanoplastics to prevent CO2 emissions.
MATERIALS TODAY SUSTAINABILITY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiao-Hui Yue, Fu-Shen Zhang, LiXiang Wu, Cong-Cong Zhang, Peng Qian
Summary: In this study, a method for recycling blending waste plastics into a growing substrate with superabsorbing and flexible properties was developed. The incompatibility between waste plastics was successfully overcome and the synthesis and water absorption of the substrate were optimized. The prepared growing substrate showed high water-absorbing capacity, excellent structure, and flexibility. Additionally, it was found that the substrate could support plant growth in coordination with soil and create a micro-ecosystem.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hongyuan Lu, Daniel J. Diaz, Natalie J. Czarnecki, Congzhi Zhu, Wantae Kim, Raghav Shroff, Daniel J. Acosta, Bradley R. Alexander, Hannah O. Cole, Yan Zhang, Nathaniel A. Lynd, Andrew D. Ellington, Hal S. Alper
Summary: Plastic waste is an ecological challenge, and enzymatic degradation offers a potentially green and scalable route for plastic recycling. Engineered PETase shows superior activity in hydrolyzing postconsumer PET, and a closed-loop recycling process is demonstrated.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Lan Huong Nguyen, Ba-Son Nguyen, Duy-Tien Le, Taghrid S. Alomara, Najla AlMasoud, Suresh Ghotekar, Rajeshwari Oza, Pankaj Raizada, Pardeep Singh, Van-Huy Nguyen
Summary: This paper reviews current studies on the degradation of plastics, micro-and nano-plastics assisted by microorganisms, exploring the relevant properties, mechanisms, and ecological factors affecting plastic degradation. The comprehensive overview serves as a valuable resource for future research into sustainable plastic pollution management methods.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yong-Liang Su, Liang Yue, Huan Tran, Mizhi Xu, Anthony Engler, Rampi Ramprasad, H. Jerry Qi, Will R. R. Gutekunst
Summary: In this study, a chemically recyclable polythioether system based on nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr) was developed. The system demonstrated chain-growth ring-opening polymerization through SNAr reactions, with fast reaction rates and efficient polymerization and depolymerization cycles. The resulting polythioether materials showed comparable performance to commercial thermoplastics, and could be depolymerized to the original monomers in high yields.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Demetres Briassoulis
Summary: This paper investigates the relationship between the characteristics, use, and end-of-life practices of agricultural plastics (AP) and the degradation and potential generation of micro- and nanoparticles (MNP) in soil. The composition, functionalities, and degradation behavior of conventional and biodegradable AP categories are systematically analyzed, and their market dynamics are briefly presented. Based on qualitative risk assessment, the risk and conditions for AP's potential role in soil pollution and MNP generation are analyzed. Proposed alternative sustainable solutions and quantitative estimations of soil pollution by MNP generated by AP are also discussed. The significance of various indirect sources of agricultural soil pollution by MNP is analyzed, providing insights for risk mitigation strategies and policies.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Krystyna Malinska, Agnieszka Pudelko, Przemyslaw Postawa, Tomasz Stachowiak, Danuta Drozdz
Summary: This study investigated the performance of biodegradable biochar-added and bio-based stem and arch support clips in composting, demonstrating that they are satisfactory alternatives to conventional non-biodegradable plastic accessories. Further research is needed to determine the optimal composting conditions for rapid degradation of these clips in different environments.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xin-Feng Wei, Fritjof Nilsson, Haiyan Yin, Mikael S. Hedenqvist
Summary: This article highlights the risk of microplastics from polymer blends, especially in the aging-induced fragmentation process where a significant amount of microplastics can be released. It emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about microplastic risks during the entire lifecycle of polymer blends, from development and production to use and waste handling. ""
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ephraim G. Morado, Mara L. Paterson, Douglas G. Ivanoff, Hsuan-Chin Wang, Alayna Johnson, Darius Daniels, Aoon Rizvi, Nancy R. Sottos, Steven C. Zimmerman
Summary: A mechanism for degrading polymers called cyclization-triggered chain cleavage (CATCH cleavage) that achieves dual requirements of strength and degradability has been reported. CATCH cleavage features a glycerol-based acyclic acetal unit as a trap for controlled chain breaks. Organic acid induces transient chain breaks with subsequent cyclization to fully depolymerize the polymer backbone at room temperature. This strategy has the potential for upcycling and may be applicable to various synthetic polymers and their waste streams.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nicholas M. Wang, Garrett Strong, Vanessa DaSilva, Lijun Gao, Rafael Huacuja, Ivan A. Konstantinov, Mari S. Rosen, Alex J. Nett, Sean Ewart, Roland Geyer, Susannah L. Scott, Damien Guironnet
Summary: The study introduces a new tandem catalysis strategy to convert PE into propylene, the key monomer for making PP, with high selectivity. By using multiple consecutive ethenolysis events and transfer dehydrogenation reactions, effective disassembly of polyethylene is achieved.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Review
Polymer Science
Gargi Phadke, Deepak Rawtani
Summary: This review focuses on the environmental impact, production process, and applications of novel biodegradable plastics. The article discusses the utilization of electrospinning in bioplastic formulation, commercially available bioplastics, and the diverse applications of electrospun nanofibers. The novelty of the article lies in the integration of electrospinning technique, availability of commercial bioplastics, and its future prospects.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Nikoleta Bellou, Chiara Gambardella, Konstantinos Karantzalos, Joao Gama Monteiro, Joao Canning-Clode, Stephanie Kemna, Camilo A. Arrieta-Giron, Carsten Lemmen
Summary: An analysis of global solutions to combat marine litter highlights the focus on monitoring solutions, with only a few being ready for use and none validated for efficiency and environmental impact.
NATURE SUSTAINABILITY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zachary R. Hinton, Pavel A. Kots, Mya Soukaseum, Brandon C. Vance, Dionisios G. Vlachos, Thomas H. Epps, LaShanda T. J. Korley
Summary: This study systematically investigates the impact of common plastics additives, particularly phenolic antioxidants, on the deconstruction yields of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) over a hydrocracking catalyst. The results show that the chemical composition and concentration of antioxidants significantly affect the conversion rate and selectivity of products.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Weize Zhu, Siyuan Lu, Haibo Jiang, Ping Wang, Chunguang He, Hongfeng Bian, Junyuan Wang
Summary: This study investigated the toxic effects of micro/nano plastics (MPs/NPs) with different sizes and organic pollutants on rice. It was found that 50 nm amino-modified polystyrene (PS-NH2) inhibited photosynthesis and DNA repair in rice, while 5 μm PS-NH2 affected gene expression and chlorophyll content. Phenanthrene (Phe) reduced the toxicity of PS-NH2, with the relief effect more evident for 50 nm PS-NH2+Phe.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xin Zhao, Bhanupriya Boruah, Kek Foo Chin, Milos Dokic, Jayant M. Modak, Han Sen Soo
Summary: This review presents the latest research on plastics upcycling, covering sustainable approaches and technologies, as well as the use of renewable energy and selective methods to repurpose synthetic polymers. It also introduces thermal upcycling, chemical deconstruction of plastics, advancements in heterogeneous and homogeneous photocatalysis and electrocatalysis, and biotechnological advances in microbial decomposition of plastics.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
