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A novel print-and-release method to prepare microplastics using an office-grade laserjet printer; a low-cost solution
Arshya Bamshad1, Hyoung J Cho1
1Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, College of Engineering & Computer Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA.
Marine Pollution Bulletin
|June 14, 2021
Summary
Researchers developed a novel, inexpensive method using a standard inkjet printer to create custom-sized polystyrene microplastics. This technique aids aquatic ecosystem research by providing realistic microplastic samples for study.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Materials Science
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Microplastics are pervasive contaminants in aquatic ecosystems, with polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene being of particular concern due to their mobility.
- Current research is hindered by the lack of cost-effective methods to produce microplastic samples with controlled size and shape for experimental replication.
- Accurate microplastic characterization is crucial for understanding their environmental impact and developing mitigation strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel, inexpensive technique for preparing microplastic particles with controlled size and shape.
- To demonstrate the feasibility of using an office-grade laserjet printer for microplastic synthesis.
- To provide a reliable method for generating realistic microplastic samples for systematic environmental studies.
Main Methods:
- A print-and-release technique was developed utilizing an office-grade laserjet printer.
- Polystyrene microplastic particles were synthesized with precise control over size and shape.
- Synthesized microplastics were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS).
Main Results:
- The developed method successfully produced colored polystyrene microplastic particles ranging from 125 μm to 500 μm.
- The average dimensional error for the prepared microplastics was less than 5%.
- SEM, FTIR, and XPS analyses confirmed the physical and chemical integrity of the synthesized microplastics.
Conclusions:
- The novel print-and-release technique offers a reliable and inexpensive way to create custom microplastic particles.
- This method addresses a significant challenge in microplastic research by enabling the generation of realistic experimental samples.
- The ability to control microplastic size and shape facilitates more accurate and systematic studies on their environmental impact.
