Publication: Development of smart technology for micro plastic capturing in water bodies using surface-active latex film
| datacite.subject.fos | oecd::Engineering and technology::Materials engineering::Materials engineering | |
| dc.contributor.author | Ngai, Ming Hui | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-10-17T08:32:19Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-10-17T08:32:19Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025-08-01 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Microplastics (MPs) are submillimeter-sized plastic fragments that negatively affect both the environment and human health. Current technologies mainly focus on removing MPs from water systems, but there is limited research on capturing specific types of MPs. Detecting MPs in the environment, especially in aquatic systems, remains challenging due to the limitations of current methods, instruments, and the small size of plastic particles. This project aims to investigate the relationship between Zinc Diethyldithiocarbamate (ZDEC) concentration and the frequency of stretching on the surface charge properties of natural rubber latex (NRL) films, designed to selectively attract different types of MPs. The NRL films are formulated with ZDEC concentrations ranging from 10% to 30%. The NRL films were employed to capture PET, PE, and PS microplastics via a surface interaction mechanism, which was enhanced by a high ZDEC content and periodic stretching conducted for 4 and 8 hours, followed by a 4-hour relaxation phase. In situ evaluation methods included electrical conductivity (EC), turbidity measurements, and the AS7265X Triad spectroscopy sensor. The presence of MPs on the NRL films was confirmed by FTIR analysis and weight gain measurements. At a ZDEC loading of 20 parts per hundred rubber (phr), the NRL film showed the highest surface charge and the greatest MP capture efficiency, particularly for PET after 8 hours of stretching and for PE after both 4 and 8 hours of stretching. After treatment, the zeta potential, EC, and turbidity values of MP-contaminated seawater approached those of clean seawater. The NRL film with 20 percent ZDEC demonstrated the most effective performance in generating surface charge and capturing MPs of PET and PE, but less effective for MPs of PS. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://erepo.usm.my/handle/123456789/22862 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.title | Development of smart technology for micro plastic capturing in water bodies using surface-active latex film | |
| dc.type | Resource Types::text::report::technical report | |
| dspace.entity.type | Publication | |
| oairecerif.author.affiliation | Universiti Sains Malaysia |