Research Information System
Journal of Molecular Structure, vol.1364, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Microplastic pollution has become a growing environmental concern due to its persistence and ecological risks. Herein, magnetite nanoparticles coated with polydopamine (Fe3O4@PDA) were synthesized, characterized, and evaluated for the capture and controlled release of polystyrene microplastics from water under pH-responsive conditions. SEM and TEM analysis confirmed a uniform 5-10 nm PDA layer, and FTIR analysis verified catechol- and amine-bearing functionalities responsible for reversible interactions with aromatic polymers, TGA revealed an additional 10–12% organic mass from the coating, while magnetization values of ∼52–55 emu g⁻¹ ensured efficient magnetic recovery. Polystyrene microplastics remained strongly retained near neutral conditions with only ∼5% desorption at pH 7, whereas release increased to ∼70% at pH 2 and reached ∼98–100% at pH 12, consistent with pH-dependent changes in interfacial interactions within the polydopamine layer. Over five capture–release cycles, the material sustained high performance, removing >90% of PS with no evidence of structural loss during alkaline regeneration. These outcomes identify Fe3O4@PDA nanocomposites as a reusable, pH-responsive, and controllable platform for microplastic remediation.