Heterogeneous Nucleation of Supersaturated Water Vapor onto Sub-10 nm Nanoplastic Particles

Abstract

Nanoplastic pollution by atmospheric transport processes is a recently discovered environmental problem on a global scale that is attributed to the dispersion of aerosolized nanoplastics. However, knowledge about the basic physicochemical properties of aerosol nanoplastic particles is scarce. Here, we present experiments on the heterogeneous nucleation of supersaturated water vapor onto sub-10 nm polyethylene terephthalate (PET) seeds. We determined onset saturation ratios for the activation of PET seeds in comparison to the well-documented reference system of silver particles, resulting in lower onset saturation ratios of the PET seeds compared to silver seeds. By using different PET bulk materials for the generation of nanoparticles, we report a strong material dependence of the onset saturation ratios, pointing to a strong effect of additives from commodity plastics in heterogeneous nucleation. Moreover, our results show a strong dependence on nucleation temperature that might be of immediate atmospheric relevance. Our work can be considered as an initial step in airborne nanoplastic detection by condensation techniques, and we anticipate our study to serve as a basis for further research that will eventually allow assessing the impact of nanoplastic dispersion on atmospheric processes.

Quantifying the Chemical Composition and Real-Time Mass Loading of Nanoplastic Particles in the Atmosphere Using Aerosol Mass Spectrometry

“…Micro- and nanoplastic particles have been reported to generate from incineration with the Raman spectroscopy method, − agreeing with our ambient observation. Previous studies also have shown that nanoplastic particles comprised of both PS and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) can be generated at temperatures as low as 200 °C through homogeneous nucleation when the plastic is melted and cooled. , A waste incinerator can often be heated to 650 to 1100 °C, higher than the melting and vapor recondensation onset temperature of 200 °C from which nanoplastics can be generated. In addition, potential incomplete combustion in the incineration of waste further facilitates the generation of byproducts including nanoplastic particles. − It is worth noting that the PS NPP concentration decreased significantly between 10 pm to 2 am from March 22–23, suggesting that the PS NPP enhancement intervals before and after this period were not due to the change of the boundary layer height but likely due to external sources of PS NPPs.…”

“…Previous studies also have shown that nanoplastic particles comprised of both PS and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) can be generated at temperatures as low as 200 °C through homogeneous nucleation when the plastic is melted and cooled. 90 , 91 A waste incinerator can often be heated to 650 to 1100 °C, higher than the melting and vapor recondensation onset temperature of 200 °C from which nanoplastics can be generated. In addition, potential incomplete combustion in the incineration of waste further facilitates the generation of byproducts including nanoplastic particles.…”

A fluorescence approach for an online measurement technique of atmospheric microplastics

“…25,26 Nevertheless, humans are exposed to airborne MPs and can therefore inhale them, posing potential health risks. [27][28][29] Even less is known about the possible implications of these particles on the microphysics of clouds as well as on precipitation and climate related processes, 30 e.g., nanoplastics can potentially act as cloud condensation nuclei 31 or nucleate ice heterogeneously. 32,33 The detection of atmospheric MPs is oen associated with labor-intensive and time-consuming procedures.…”

“…Even less is known about the possible implications of these particles on the microphysics of clouds as well as on precipitation and climate related processes, 30 e.g. , nanoplastics can potentially act as cloud condensation nuclei 31 or nucleate ice heterogeneously. 32,33…”

Structural Diversity Design, Four Nucleation Methods Growth and Mechanism of 3D Hollow Box TiO2 Nanocrystals with a Temperature-Controlled High (001) Crystal Facets Exposure Ratio

“…During the crystal growth process, heterogeneous nucleation or homogeneous nucleation is crucial . In heterogeneous nucleation, the formation of crystals does not begin with free molecules in the solution but rather with heterogeneous nuclei . In homogeneous nucleation, crystal formation originates from free ions, atoms, or molecules in the solution, and these molecules aggregate to form small nuclei …”