Researchers Use 3D Imaging To Advance Microplastic Recycling
In a groundbreaking study, researchers Dr. William Anderson and Dr. Boxin Zhao, in collaboration with the National Research Council (NRC), have used 3D imaging technology to examine microplastics in unprecedented detail, a critical step toward improving plastic recycling methods. Microplastics, tiny particles that result from the breakdown of larger plastic materials, pose significant threats to ecosystems and human health due to their resistance to decomposition. Until now, scientists have struggled to fully understand how these particles degrade, especially at the microscopic level.
Traditional 2D microscopy offered limited insights, similar to medical X-rays, but the introduction of 3D imaging, akin to a CT scan, has enabled researchers to observe microplastic degradation with far greater clarity. This breakthrough reveals not only that degradation is occurring but also where and how it happens on the surface of microplastics. The research team, led by Anderson and Zhao, used a photocatalytic process involving UV light and titanium oxide to study degradation at the nanoscale.
In addition to advancing the understanding of microplastic degradation, the team is exploring innovative biocycling methods. By using microplastics as a carbon source for bacteria, they aim to convert plastic waste into environmentally friendly biopolymers for new materials. This multidisciplinary effort could have major implications for reducing plastic pollution and fostering a circular economy. The study, published in IOPSCIENCE, marks a significant step forward in developing more effective plastic waste recycling techniques.
Source: The University of Waterloo