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Influence of CNT loading and environmental stressors on leaching of polymer-associated chemicals from epoxy and polycarbonate nanocomposites

Publication ,  Journal Article
Walker, I; Montaño, MD; Lankone, RS; Fairbrother, DH; Ferguson, PL
Published in: Environmental Chemistry
September 1, 2021

Abstract: Nanoparticles such as carbon nanotubes are increasingly added to polymer matrices to improve tensile strength and electrical and thermal conductivity, and to reduce gas permeability. During use and after disposal, these plastic nanocomposites (PNCs) are degraded into microplastics by physical and chemical processes including mechanical abrasion, UV light exposure, hydrolysis and oxidation. Such polymers have the potential to enter aquatic environments and release potentially hazardous polymer-associated chemicals and transformation products. This work identifies and quantifies polymer-associated chemicals leached from polymers and nanocomposites during simulated environmental exposure. Epoxy and polycarbonate PNCs containing single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) loadings ranging from 0 to 1 wt-% were exposed to water for 5 days, and the release of the chemicals bisphenol A (BPA) and 4-tert-butylphenol (TBP) was measured. The role of UV exposure, pH, temperature and natural organic matter in regulating chemical release was also investigated. Temperature, pH and UV light were found to be the most significant factors influencing release of TBP and BPA from PNCs. Additionally, increasing carbon nanotube loading in both polycarbonate and epoxy composites was found to decrease the release of these phenolic chemicals. A 0.3 % higher SWCNT loading decreased the release of BPA 45 ± 18 %, and a 1 % SWCNT loading decreased chemical release from epoxy by 48 ± 26 % for BPA and 58 ± 8 % for TBP. This information provides important data that can be used to help assess the risks posed by SWCNT polymer nanocomposites in aqueous environments, particularly as they age and are transformed.

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Published In

Environmental Chemistry

DOI

ISSN

1448-2517

Publication Date

September 1, 2021

Volume

18

Issue

3

Start / End Page

131 / 141

Related Subject Headings

  • Environmental Sciences
  • 41 Environmental sciences
  • 37 Earth sciences
  • 34 Chemical sciences
  • 05 Environmental Sciences
  • 04 Earth Sciences
  • 03 Chemical Sciences
 

Citation

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Walker, I., Montaño, M. D., Lankone, R. S., Fairbrother, D. H., & Ferguson, P. L. (2021). Influence of CNT loading and environmental stressors on leaching of polymer-associated chemicals from epoxy and polycarbonate nanocomposites. Environmental Chemistry, 18(3), 131–141. https://doi.org/10.1071/EN21043
Walker, I., M. D. Montaño, R. S. Lankone, D. H. Fairbrother, and P. L. Ferguson. “Influence of CNT loading and environmental stressors on leaching of polymer-associated chemicals from epoxy and polycarbonate nanocomposites.” Environmental Chemistry 18, no. 3 (September 1, 2021): 131–41. https://doi.org/10.1071/EN21043.
Walker I, Montaño MD, Lankone RS, Fairbrother DH, Ferguson PL. Influence of CNT loading and environmental stressors on leaching of polymer-associated chemicals from epoxy and polycarbonate nanocomposites. Environmental Chemistry. 2021 Sep 1;18(3):131–41.
Walker, I., et al. “Influence of CNT loading and environmental stressors on leaching of polymer-associated chemicals from epoxy and polycarbonate nanocomposites.” Environmental Chemistry, vol. 18, no. 3, Sept. 2021, pp. 131–41. Scopus, doi:10.1071/EN21043.
Walker I, Montaño MD, Lankone RS, Fairbrother DH, Ferguson PL. Influence of CNT loading and environmental stressors on leaching of polymer-associated chemicals from epoxy and polycarbonate nanocomposites. Environmental Chemistry. 2021 Sep 1;18(3):131–141.
Journal cover image

Published In

Environmental Chemistry

DOI

ISSN

1448-2517

Publication Date

September 1, 2021

Volume

18

Issue

3

Start / End Page

131 / 141

Related Subject Headings

  • Environmental Sciences
  • 41 Environmental sciences
  • 37 Earth sciences
  • 34 Chemical sciences
  • 05 Environmental Sciences
  • 04 Earth Sciences
  • 03 Chemical Sciences