Work

Unveiling the mechanism secret of abrasion emissions of particulate matter and microplastics

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Recent research highlights that non-exhaust emissions from the abrasion of tires and other organic materials have emerged as a substantial source of airborne particulate matter and marine microplastics. Despite their growing impact, the underlying mechanisms driving these abrasion emissions have remained largely unexplored. In this study, we uncover that abrasion emissions from organic materials are fundamentally governed by a fatigue fracture process, wherein particles are progressively detached from the material surface under cyclic abrasion loads. Our findings demonstrate that these emissions increase significantly only when the applied abrasion loads surpass the material's toughness threshold. We establish a scaling relationship between the concentration of emitted particulate matter and the measurable crack propagation rate of the organic material, offering a robust quantitative method to estimate abrasion emissions. This work not only introduces a novel mechanistic framework for understanding particulate matter pollution from organic material abrasion but also provides a scientific basis for developing strategies to mitigate emissions of airborne particulates and marine microplastics.

Source: Scientific Reports

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-74137-6

Authors: Ketian Li, Kunhao Yu, Yanchu Zhang, Haixu Du, Constantinos Sioutas, Qiming Wang

Institution: University of Southern California

Language: English

Topic: Microplastics and Plastic Pollution

Subfield: Pollution

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,590

Funders: National Science Foundation, Office of Naval Research, Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation