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Micropatterned microplastic generation via degradation of polymeric films with micropatterned structures

Polymer Journal volume 56, pages 677–684 (2024)Cite this article

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Abstract

Water-insoluble micropatterned films were prepared from poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) (or ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH)) and poly(methacrylic acid) (poly(MAAc)). The carboxy groups in poly(MAAc) underwent dehydration reactions with the hydroxy groups in the vinyl alcohol units during heating at 135 °C, which resulted in crosslinking with ester bonds and formation of a polymeric network in the micropatterned films. The surface structures of the micropatterned films and the shapes of the peeled microplastics in the supernatant were measured after decomposition in an oxidizing environment, after ultrasonic irradiation, and with both. The results revealed that the micropatterns could be peeled off from the films after they were subjected to appropriate decomposition conditions and maintained their patterned shapes.

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Acknowledgements

This work was partially supported by the Technical Research Aid Projects 2019 (JFE 21st Century Foundation) and Research Grant 2021 (Iketani Science and Technology Foundation). We are grateful to Nippon Light Metal Co., Ltd, for providing NaClO·5H2O. We are grateful to Dr. Take-aki Koizumi and Dr. Naohiro Sugasawa of the Advanced Instrumental Analysis Center at the Shizuoka Institute of Science and Technology for their technical support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Materials and Life Science, Shizuoka Institute of Science and Technology, 2200-2 Toyosawa, Fukuroi, Shizuoka, 437-8555, Japan

    Haruki Uchida, Wakako Uchiyama, Erika Kurita, Masayuki Kirihara & Yohei Kotsuchibashi

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  1. Haruki Uchida
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  2. Wakako Uchiyama
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Correspondence to Yohei Kotsuchibashi.

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Uchida, H., Uchiyama, W., Kurita, E. et al. Micropatterned microplastic generation via degradation of polymeric films with micropatterned structures. Polym J 56, 677–684 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41428-024-00897-7

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