Major
Chemistry
Anticipated Graduation Year
2023
Access Type
Open Access
Abstract
Plastic debris in natural water can absorb persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and catalyze their transformation to other molecules. This study aims to determine how the surface area of plastic affects the rate of POP photolysis. Photolysis reactions of triclosan and methyl triclosan are being carried out in the presence of polyethylene particles ranging from 5 to 925 um in diameter and sheet plastic with a surface area of at least 10mm, which displays the highest degree of photolysis. The results will provide insight into plastic surface interactions and energy sharing with adsorbed molecules.
Faculty Mentors & Instructors
M Paul Chiarelli, Ph.D, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; Xiolmara Martinez, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Triclosan Photolysis Facilitated by Polyethylene Microplastics; A Look into Surface Area
Plastic debris in natural water can absorb persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and catalyze their transformation to other molecules. This study aims to determine how the surface area of plastic affects the rate of POP photolysis. Photolysis reactions of triclosan and methyl triclosan are being carried out in the presence of polyethylene particles ranging from 5 to 925 um in diameter and sheet plastic with a surface area of at least 10mm, which displays the highest degree of photolysis. The results will provide insight into plastic surface interactions and energy sharing with adsorbed molecules.