iScience,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
26(4), P. 106404 - 106404
Published: March 15, 2023
The
manufacturing
and
consumption
of
plastic
products
have
steadily
increased
over
the
past
decades
due
to
rising
global
demand,
resulting
not
only
in
depletion
petroleum
resources
but
also
environmental
pollution
non-biodegradable
nature
conventional
plastics.
Moreover,
despite
being
introduced
into
market
as
an
alternative
petroleum-based
plastics,
biobased
plastics
are
mainly
manufactured
from
agricultural
crop-based
sources,
which
has
negative
impacts
on
environment
livelihoods
people.
Marine-derived
bioplastics
becoming
a
promising
cost-effective
solution
demand
for
products.
physicochemical,
biological,
degradation
properties
marine-derived
made
them
substances
many
applications.
However,
more
research
is
required
their
large-scale
implementation.
Therefore,
this
review
summarizes
raw
materials
such
algae,
animals,
microorganisms,
well
extraction
processes
properties.
These
insights
could
thus
accelerate
production
novel
prevailing
by
taking
advantage
marine
biomass.
Environmental Science & Technology,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
57(30), P. 10911 - 10918
Published: July 13, 2023
Microplastics
have
been
detected
in
human
stool,
lungs,
and
placentas,
which
direct
exposure
to
the
external
environment
through
various
body
cavities,
including
oral/anal
cavity
uterine/vaginal
cavity.
Crucial
data
on
microplastic
completely
enclosed
organs
are
still
lacking.
Herein,
we
used
a
laser
infrared
chemical
imaging
system
scanning
electron
microscopy
investigate
whether
microplastics
exist
heart
its
surrounding
tissues.
Microplastic
specimens
were
collected
from
15
cardiac
surgery
patients,
6
pericardia,
epicardial
adipose
tissues,
11
pericardial
3
myocardia,
5
left
atrial
appendages,
7
pairs
of
pre-
postoperative
venous
blood
samples.
not
universally
present
all
tissue
samples,
but
nine
types
found
across
five
with
largest
measuring
469
μm
diameter.
Nine
also
samples
maximum
diameter
184
μm,
type
distribution
showed
alterations
following
surgical
procedure.
Moreover,
presence
poly(methyl
methacrylate)
appendage,
tissue,
cannot
be
attributed
accidental
during
surgery,
providing
evidence
patients
undergoing
surgery.
Further
research
is
needed
examine
impact
introduction
potential
effects
internal
health.
Advanced Functional Materials,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
32(20)
Published: Feb. 9, 2022
Abstract
The
emergence
of
the
SARS‐CoV‐2
pandemic
and
airborne
particulate
matter
(PM)
pollution
has
led
to
remarkably
high
demand
for
face
masks.
However,
conventional
respirators
are
intended
single
use
made
from
nondegradable
materials,
causing
serious
concern
a
plastic‐waste
environmental
crisis.
Furthermore,
these
facemasks
weakened
in
humid
conditions
difficult
decontaminate.
Herein,
reusable,
self‐sustaining,
highly
effective,
humidity‐resistant
air
filtration
membrane
with
excellent
particle‐removal
efficiency
is
reported,
based
on
controllable
stable
piezoelectric
electrospun
poly
(l‐lactic
acid)
(PLLA)
nanofibers.
PLLA
filter
possesses
(
>
99%
PM
2.5
91%
1.0)
while
providing
favorable
pressure
drop
≈
91
Pa
at
normal
breathing
rate)
human
due
charge
naturally
activated
by
respiration
through
mask.
long,
performance
good
humidity
resistance,
demonstrated
minimal
declination
nanofiber
after
moisture
exposure.
reusable
via
common
sterilization
tools
(i.e.,
an
ultrasonic
cleaning
bath,
autoclave,
or
microwave).
Moreover,
prototype
completely
biodegradable
nanofiber‐based
facemask
fabricated
shown
decompose
within
5
weeks
accelerated
degradation
environment.
Chemical Society Reviews,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
52(14), P. 4755 - 4832
Published: Jan. 1, 2023
Diversification
of
polymer
waste
recycling
is
one
the
solutions
to
improve
current
environmental
scenario.
Upcycling
a
promising
strategy
for
converting
into
molecular
intermediates
and
high-value
products.
Although
catalytic
transformations
small
molecules
have
been
actively
discussed,
methods
characteristics
upcycling
new
materials
not
yet
addressed.
Recently,
functionalisation
wastes
(polyethylene
terephthalate
bottles,
polypropylene
surgical
masks,
rubber
tires,
etc.)
their
conversion
with
enhanced
functionality
proposed
as
an
appealing
alternative
dealing
recycling/treatment.
In
this
review,
term
'functional
upcycling'
introduced
designate
any
method
post-polymerisation
modification
or
surface
without
considerable
chain
destruction
produce
upcycled
material
added
value.
This
review
explores
functional
detailed
consideration
most
common
polymers,
i.e.,
polystyrene,
poly(methyl
methacrylate),
polyethylene,
polypropylene,
polyurethane,
polyethylene
terephthalate,
polyvinyl
chloride,
polycarbonate,
rubber.
We
discuss
composition
plastic
waste,
reactivity,
available
physical/chemical
agents
modification,
interconnection
between
properties
application.
To
date,
successfully
applied
adsorbents
(including
CO2),
catalysts,
electrode
energy
storage
sensing,
demonstrating
high
Importantly,
reviewed
reports
indicated
that
specific
performance
generally
comparable
higher
than
similar
prepared
from
virgin
feedstock.
All
these
advantages
promote
diversification
approach
against
postprocessing
employed
waste.
Finally,
identify
limitations
suggest
future
scope
research
each
polymer,
we
comparatively
analysed
aspects
those
chemical
mechanical
recycling,
considering
resource
costs,
toxicity
used
chemicals,
footprint,
value
product.
