Stress drives polymer phase separation and microplastic release

Author:

Wang Jing Jing1ORCID,Li Dunzhu1,Li Peijing2,Shi Yunhong1,Sheerin Emmet1,Yang Luming1,Hill Christopher1,Sader John3ORCID,Gordon Conall1,Ruether Manuel1,Xiao Liwen1,Boland John4

Affiliation:

1. Trinity College Dublin

2. The University of Melbourne

3. California Institute of Technology

4. School of Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2

Abstract

Abstract Microplastic release from semicrystalline plastics threaten the environment and human health. We investigated polypropylene and polyethylene plastics, which together account for 54% of the global market. Mimicking common levels of residual stress found in plastics via cantilever beam experiments, we demonstrated that compressive stress drives nano and microscale segregation of amorphous polymer droplets onto the plastic’s surface. Simulations reveal this stress-driven volumetric flow is consistent with that of a Bingham plastic material, with a temperature-dependent threshold yield stress. Flow is thermally activated and stress dependent, with a reduced energy barrier at higher compressive stresses. Transfer of surface segregated amorphous droplets into the surroundings generates microplastics. Studies with water-containing plastic bottles showed that the highly compressed neck and mouth regions were predominantly responsible for the release of microplastics.

Publisher

Research Square Platform LLC

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