Level of Education of Students Involved
Undergraduate
Faculty Sponsor
Dr. Julie Peller
College
Arts and Sciences
Discipline(s)
Environmental Chemistry
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Symposium Date
Spring 4-25-2024
Abstract
Plastics are synthetic polymers currently present in nearly every aspect of life. From bottles, foam packaging, and food containers to clothes, electronics, medical equipment, and more, plastic usage has become commonplace. Plastics are widespread, lasting pollutants in all ecosystems. Nanoplastics, defined as plastic pieces less than a micrometer in diameter, are readily formed from the fragmentation of larger plastic pieces. Nanoplastics formed or present in water were studied to determine sources, sizes and quantities as well as interactions with other substances. Polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics were mixed with pure water and a liquid organic compound to create nanoplastics. Mixtures were shaken, subjected to further ultrasound mixing, and the suspensions were extracted with diisopropyl ether to remove the liquid organic. Quantification of extraction efficiency was attempted with GC-MS, massing after evaporation, and fluorescent dye and fluorescent detection. In addition, nanoplastics mixtures were analyzed using Raman spectroscopy and microscopy before and after extractions. We determined that pure laboratory water contains nanoplastic particles, that mixing of PE microplastics in water creates nanoplastics, and that a variety of liquid organic compounds function as solubilizers, significantly accelerating nanoplastics formation. We also found that nanoplastic particles exhibit different Raman spectra under certain conditions, suggesting interactions between nanoplastics and solubilizer molecules.
Recommended Citation
Valicevic, Abigail; Durlam, Noah; and Broniewicz, Emily, "Nanoplastics Are Common in Water: Types of Formation and Molecular Interactions" (2024). Symposium on Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 1269.
https://scholar.valpo.edu/cus/1269
Biographical Information about Author(s)
Abigail Valicevic is a senior Chemistry and Biology double major from Macomb, MI. After graduation she will be taking a gap year to work as a medical scribe while applying to medical school.
Noah Durlam is a junior Chemistry major from Germantown, WI. After graduating from Valpo, Noah plans to attend graduate school for chemistry research.
Emily Broniewicz is a sophomore Biology and Chemistry double major from Hickory Hills, IL. Her future plans include attending graduate school to pursue a career in ecological chemistry.