Client: University of Bayreuth
Article: Repulsive Interactions of Eco-corona-Covered Microplastic Particles Quantitatively Follow Modeling of Polymer Brushes
Authors: Thomas Witzmann, Anja F. R. M. Ramsperger, Simon Wieland, et al
Journal: Langmuir, Ausgabe June 23, 2022 | Vol. 38, Issue 29
Publisher: American Chemical Society
Copyright © 2022, American Chemical Society
Microplastic covered
For Thomas Witzmann and his team, I was able to illustrate the very exciting research on the so-called eco-corona of microplastics. The result is a 3D graphic that impressed the jury of the scientific journal Langmuir so much that the article was even selected as the cover.
But what is the research on eco-corona about and what is it anyway? While “fresh” microplastic particles that have just landed in the environment (which is unsightly enough) are still smooth and supple, their surface is very soon covered with a biofilm, the ecocorona, as a result of environmental reactions. The problem with this is that eco-corona makes it much easier for microplastics to accumulate in the environment. So it’s high time to do something about it.
