Microplastics, Nanoplastics, and Chemical Recycling of Waste Plastics
This community investigates the environmental fate, biological effects, and chemical breakdown of synthetic polymers, focusing on the transition from plastic production to waste management and the resulting exposure of ecosystems and humans to micro- and nanoplastics.
The work centers on specific polymer types, particularly polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene, and polystyrene, tracking their degradation into microplastics and nanoplastics. Key methods include catalytic pyrolysis and chemical recycling to process waste plastics, alongside analytical techniques like mass spectrometry for detection. A significant portion of the research examines the toxicological impacts of these particles, specifically oxidative stress, heavy metal interactions, and effects on drinking water and soil. The community also explores biodegradable alternatives such as polylactic acid and the circular economy aspects of plastic waste treatment.
Chlorine research accounts for the largest share of this community’s output, representing 7.3% of all tracked chlorine research and comprising 3,364 papers within this group.
The community comprises 17,970 papers, published primarily in Polymer Degradation and Stability, Journal of Hazardous Materials, and The Science of The Total Environment.
Recent work focuses on the translocation of nanoplastics across biological barriers, their presence in human tissues such as the brain and breastmilk, and the development of enzymatic and catalytic strategies for the closed-loop recycling of polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate.