Nanoscale abrasive wear of polyethylene: a novel approach to probe nanoplastic release at the single asperity level
Published in Environmental Science & Technology (Cover Feature), 2024
This paper develops a nanoscale method to “poke” at the surface of UV-weathered polyethylene to simulate nanoplastics generation under realistic mechanical and UV weathering conditions. This work highlights how UV exposure fundamentally changes the wear mechanism and increases nanoplastic release rates by an order of magnitude, enabling more physics-based predictions of environmental nanoplastic generation.
Recommended citation: Rahman, E., BinAhmed, S., Keyes, P., Alberg, C., Godfreey-Igwe, S., Haugstad, G., & Xiong, B. (2024). Nanoscale abrasive wear of polyethylene: a novel approach to probe nanoplastic release at the single asperity level. Environmental Science & Technology (Cover Feature).
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