Researchers have utilized 3D imaging technology to gain a deeper understanding of microplastics, offering the potential for more efficient plastic waste recycling methods.
In an unprecedented achievement, University of Waterloo researchers have harnessed 3D imaging technology to explore the intricate details of microplastics, which could lead to improved plastic waste recycling strategies.
Micro and nanoplastics, which are minuscule plastic particles resulting from the breakdown of larger plastic items, present a growing environmental challenge. The difficulty in safely decomposing these materials poses serious risks to ecosystems, wildlife, and human health.
Researchers have faced challenges in fully comprehending how micro and nanoplastics degrade, especially at the microscopic and nanoscale levels, which has hindered efforts to lessen their environmental impact. Understanding the functioning and breakdown mechanisms of microplastics is essential for their removal from our surroundings.
In partnership with the National Research Council (NRC), the researchers employed 3D imaging technology alongside traditional 2D microscopy for enhanced observations of micro and nanoplastics’ degradation.
“Typically, images from microscopes offer a two-dimensional perspective, akin to a medical X-ray. While informative, they don’t provide depth,” explained William Anderson, a professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Waterloo.
“In contrast, 3D imaging resembles a CT scan, delivering far more comprehensive information about the structure and degradation of microplastics. Achieving this level of detail has been exceptionally challenging, yet it is vital for understanding the surface dynamics of micro and nanoplastics and the processes through which they degrade.”
The research team implemented a unique combination of physical and biological techniques to collect their new visual data. This involved a photocatalytic process that treated micro and nanoplastics with UV light and a titanium oxide catalyst, facilitating microscopic observation and analysis of degradation.
“This methodology not only shows that degradation is occurring, but clarifies how and where it happens on the surfaces of micro and nanoplastics,” stated chemical engineering professor Boxin Zhao, who holds an Endowed Chair in Nanotechnology at Waterloo. “This understanding is vital for creating more effective approaches to decompose plastics at micro and nanoscale levels.”
Anderson and Zhao, collaborating with colleagues from the Department of Chemical Engineering and the Department of Biology at Waterloo, are working on biocycling methods that would allow microplastics to serve as a carbon source for bacteria. These bacteria would consume the microplastics and subsequently produce an eco-friendly biopolymer that can be used to manufacture new products like plastic bags or packaging films.
The findings from this research initiative carry significant implications for Waterloo’s team, which is now establishing a multidisciplinary research effort focused on plastics biocycling.
This collaboration highlights the necessity of integrating different areas of expertise to address complex environmental issues. The findings could lead to innovative strategies for recycling plastic waste and furthering the goals of a circular economy.
