Work

Emerging investigator series: release and phototransformation of benzophenone additives from polystyrene plastics exposed to sunlight

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: dependence, the presence of sunlight (active release) altered the concentration of leached benzophenones in solution depending on the relative photostability of the compounds. In accelerated lab-based studies using >300 nm irradiation, a second stage of increased additive release was observed for prolonged irradiation times, an effect ascribed to distinct stages of PS photodegradation. LC-HRMS analysis identified various photodegradation products, including carboxylic acids and hydroxylated species. Quencher experiments indicated that these transformation products were produced by the formation of excited triplet states and hydroxyl radicals generated by benzophenone photoexcitation. Hydroxyl radicals are also likely responsible for the complete mineralization of irradiated benzophenones as evidenced by total organic carbon analysis. This work identifies the impact of photolysis on both additive release and transformation of benzophenones.

Source: Environmental Science Processes & Impacts

DOI: 10.1039/d5em00292c

Authors: Casey Smith, D. Howard Fairbrother, Carsten Prasse

Institution: Johns Hopkins University

Language: English

Topic: Microplastics and Plastic Pollution

Subfield: Pollution

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: Division of Chemistry

Award: G1363314454