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Polymers
Special Issues
Micro- and Nanoplastics Engineering and Design for Research
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Micro- and Nanoplastics Engineering and Design for Research

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Processing and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 January 2025 | Viewed by 3188

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Gisbert Rieß

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Polymer Engineering and Science, Montanuniversitaet Leoben, Leoben, Austria
Interests: polymer chemistry; barrier properties; flame-retardant polymers; polymeric foam
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Thomas C. Meisel

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of General and Analytical Chemistry, Montanuniversitaet Leoben, Leoben, Austria
Interests: analytical chemistry; analytical geochemistry; microplastic and nanoplastic; sample preparation; platinum group elements; food analysis; rare earth elements; geochemistry; radiogenic isotopes; ICP-MS; TIMS; infrared spectroscopy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The assessment of physiological and toxicological effects necessitates the use of defined polymer micro- and nanoplastic particles. The only means of obtaining such particles is via the manufacturing process. Regardless of the base material, the resulting structure and morphology play a pivotal role in tailoring the material for the intended application. Therefore, it is essential to possess a comprehensive understanding of the synthesis and structure–property relationships of such materials. The aforementioned relationships are contingent upon the type and concentration of the components, the interaction between the matrix and additives, and the processing techniques employed. All of these parameters determine the morphology and structure of the final material, and are crucial for the intended applications. Furthermore, the characterization techniques applied to such particles are also important. This Special Issue, entitled "Micro- and Nanoplastics Engineering and Design for Research", focuses on any aspect of the production, structure, and properties of polymeric materials, with a particular emphasis on chemical/physical analytical characterization. A special topic is also core–shell particles with polymer-polymer or inorganic filler–polymer systems, which are employed as markers in order to enhance characterization. This Special Issue, which focuses on a field of science that is currently evolving rapidly, welcomes the submission of original work, as well as experimental studies and theoretical investigations are both encouraged. We also welcome full research papers, communications, and reviews that address the following themes: micro/nano plastics from synthetic polymers, synthesis routes for polymer micro/nano particles, the novel design of micro/nano particles, polymer–polymer core–shell particle, organic-inorganic core–shell particle, surface modification and the encapsulation of active agents, the labelling of polymer micro/nano particles, and characterization techniques for such particles.

Prof. Dr. Gisbert Rieß
Prof. Dr. Thomas C. Meisel
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • micro/nano plastics from synthetic polymers
  • synthesis routes for polymer micro/nano particles
  • the novel design of micro/nano particles
  • polymer–polymer core–shell particle
  • organic-inorganic core–shell particle
  • surface modification and the encapsulation of active agents
  • the labelling of polymer micro/nano particles
  • characterization techniques

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 4889 KiB  
Article
Insights on Microplastic Contamination from Municipal and Textile Industry Effluents and Their Removal Using a Cellulose-Based Approach
by Solange Magalhães, Daniel Paciência, João M. M. Rodrigues, Björn Lindman, Luís Alves, Bruno Medronho and Maria da Graça Rasteiro
Polymers 2024, 16(19), 2803; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16192803 - 3 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1263
Abstract
The rampant use of plastics, with the potential to degrade into insidious microplastics (MPs), poses a significant threat by contaminating aquatic environments. In the present study, we delved into the analysis of effluents from textile industries, a recognized major source of MPs contamination. [...] Read more.
The rampant use of plastics, with the potential to degrade into insidious microplastics (MPs), poses a significant threat by contaminating aquatic environments. In the present study, we delved into the analysis of effluents from textile industries, a recognized major source of MPs contamination. Data were further discussed and compared with a municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent. All effluent samples were collected at the final stage of treatment in their respective WWTP. Laser diffraction spectroscopy was used to evaluate MP dimensions, while optical and fluorescence microscopies were used for morphology analysis and the identification of predominant plastic types, respectively. Electrophoresis was employed to unravel the prevalence of negative surface charge on these plastic microparticles. The analysis revealed that polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyamide were the dominant compounds in textile effluents, with PET being predominant in municipal WWTP effluents. Surprisingly, despite the municipal WWTP exhibiting higher efficiency in MP removal (ca. 71% compared to ca. 55% in textile industries), it contributed more to overall pollution. A novel bio-based flocculant, a cationic cellulose derivative derived from wood wastes, was developed as a proof-of-concept for MP flocculation. The novel derivatives were found to efficiently flocculate PET MPs, thus allowing their facile removal from aqueous media, and reducing the threat of MP contamination from effluents discharged from WWTPs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Micro- and Nanoplastics Engineering and Design for Research)
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Review

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33 pages, 5391 KiB  
Review
Micro-Nanoparticle Characterization: Establishing Underpinnings for Proper Identification and Nanotechnology-Enabled Remediation
by Wesley Allen Williams and Shyam Aravamudhan
Polymers 2024, 16(19), 2837; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16192837 - 8 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1475
Abstract
Microplastics (MPLs) and nanoplastics (NPLs) are smaller particles derived from larger plastic material, polymerization, or refuse. In context to environmental health, they are separated into the industrially-created “primary” category or the degradation derivative “secondary” category where the particles exhibit different physiochemical characteristics that [...] Read more.
Microplastics (MPLs) and nanoplastics (NPLs) are smaller particles derived from larger plastic material, polymerization, or refuse. In context to environmental health, they are separated into the industrially-created “primary” category or the degradation derivative “secondary” category where the particles exhibit different physiochemical characteristics that attenuate their toxicities. However, some particle types are more well documented in terms of their fate in the environment and potential toxicological effects (secondary) versus their industrial fabrication and chemical characterization (primary). Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR/µ-FTIR), Raman/µ-Raman, Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (H-NMR), Curie Point-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (CP-gc-MS), Induced Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA), Field Flow Fractionation-Multiple Angle Light Scattering (FFF-MALS), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetry (TGA), Differential Mobility Particle [Sizing] (DMPS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Scanning Transmission X-ray Microspectroscopy (STXM) are reviewed as part of a suite of characterization methods for physiochemical ascertainment and distinguishment. In addition, Optical-Photothermal Infrared Microspectroscopy (O-PTIR), Z-Stack Confocal Microscopy, Mueller Matrix Polarimetry, and Digital Holography (DH) are touched upon as a suite of cutting-edge modes of characterization. Organizations, like the water treatment or waste management industry, and those in groups that bring awareness to this issue, which are in direct contact with the hydrosphere, can utilize these techniques in order to sense and remediate this plastic polymer pollution. The primary goal of this review paper is to highlight the extent of plastic pollution in the environment as well as introduce its effect on the biodiversity of the planet while underscoring current characterization techniques in this field of research. The secondary goal involves illustrating current and theoretical avenues in which future research needs to address and optimize MPL/NPL remediation, utilizing nanotechnology, before this sleeping giant of a problem awakens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Micro- and Nanoplastics Engineering and Design for Research)
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