Author(s): Soobin Yang; Jiwon Son; Changwoo Kim
Linked Author(s): Changwoo Kim
Keywords: Nanoplastics Polystyrene nanoparticles Nanoparticle manufacturing Zeta potential Critical coagulation concentration
Abstract: As microplastics emerge as a global environmental concern, research on their impacts and behavior is actively conducted worldwide. Nanoplastics, which pose greater risks to the environment and human health compared to microplastics, have received comparatively less research attention. This is largely due to the technical challenges in producing nanoparticles with uniform size and surface properties. Existing methods for nanoplastic synthesis often rely on surfactants or chemicals, making it difficult to represent the nanoplastics naturally present in the environment. Moreover, precise control over size and concentration has been a limiting factor in exploring nanoplastic behavior under diverse conditions. In this study, polystyrene (PS) nanoparticles were successfully manufactured using a top-down method, achieving controllable size and concentration. The size of the PS nanoparticles ranged from 30 nm to 180 nm, and their concentration was adjustable from 1 ppm to 100 ppm. The nanoparticles were confirmed to possess uniform size distribution and stable chemical properties through comprehensive analyses, including Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Total Organic Carbon (TOC), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Raman Spectroscopy. Stability was further evaluated through zeta potential measurements at pH 7, which indicated a correlation between particle size and surface charge, and critical coagulation concentration (CCC) measurements, which demonstrated stable behavior in high ionic strength environments. These results suggest that the developed method provides a reliable approach for producing PS nanoplastics that closely mimic those found in aqueous environments. This manufacturing technique offers valuable potential for advancing nanoplastic research, particularly in understanding their behavior and effects in various environmental conditions.
Year: 2025