From Plastics to Microplastics: Quantification, Degradation and Mitigation
P. Herrasti, N. Menendez, J. Sanchez-Marcos, F.J. Recio, E. Mazario
This chapter focuses on the transformation of plastics into smaller units such as microplastics. The most common degradation processes and the techniques used for their quantification and separation will be discussed. We will also try to see the most common and harmful processes for the environment that microplastics can produce, especially focusing on the processes of adsorption of pollutants that will be transported together with microplastics as a vector of pollution. Finally, we will indicate the methodologies used for the reuse of plastics, with the interest of some newer processes. We will end with some issues that should and must be addressed in the near future to prevent further contamination of the environment by these products.
Keywords
Plastic, Microplastic, Separation, Degradation, Adsorption
Published online 8/10/2023, 23 pages
Citation: P. Herrasti, N. Menendez, J. Sanchez-Marcos, F.J. Recio, E. Mazario, From Plastics to Microplastics: Quantification, Degradation and Mitigation, Materials Research Foundations, Vol. 149, pp 1-23, 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644902639-1
Part of the book on New Materials for a Circular Economy
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