Effects of Gamma Irradiation on Polyethylene Terephthalate and Detection of Microplastic Particles Down to 1 μm

In response to increasing concern about the impact of plastic degradation on the environment, this study investigates the degradation of virgin and recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) under gamma-irradiation in aqueous solutions, with particular focus on the resulting formation of microplastic particles (MP). By exposing both virgin and recycled PET samples to different doses of gamma-irradiation (10, 50, and 100 kGy), a comprehensive analysis using UV-vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and micro-Raman spectroscopy is presented. The results, highlighted by micro-Raman spectroscopy, show that gamma-irradiation produces micrometer-sized plastic particles, with the recycled PET having a significantly higher MP content than its original counterpart. Careful examination reveals the presence of a stabilizer in samples of recycled PET juice bottles. This study not only contributes to our understanding of the effects of gamma-irradiation on PET but also highlights the need for further research into the environmental impact of such processes. The insights gained shed light on the behavior of PET under gamma-irradiation and the resulting impact on microplastic pollution and make an important contribution to our understanding of the broader environmental context.