Photocatalytic degradation of microplastics: From efficiency assessment to rational system design
Askerova S. Koishybekova A. Kazbekova I. Mukasheva A. Tatykayev B. Mentbayeva A. Shalabayev Z. Tugelbay S. Khan N.
1 July 2026Elsevier B.V.
Talanta
2026#304
The photocatalytic degradation of microplastics (MPs) lacks standardized analytical workflows. This gap severely hinders the comparison of studies and the interpretation of degradation mechanisms. The current literature is fragmented, as results depend on a complex mix of reaction conditions, material properties, and the intrinsic limitations of the analytical techniques themselves. This review introduces the first analytically driven framework to rationalize experimental design in this field. We systematically deconstruct the process into critical factor groups: environmental/operational parameters, photocatalyst properties, polymer characteristics and surface interaction and pretreatment. Crucially, we map how these factors directly impact the choice, applicability, and reliability of key analytical techniques, such as microscopic, spectroscopic, chromatographic, and thermal analyses. Thus, the proposed framework provides a clear roadmap for designing more rigorous and comparable studies on the photocatalytic degradation of MPs. It addresses a critical methodological gap, facilitating clearer insights into degradation features.
Analytical interpretability , Characterization techniques , Experimental design , Photocatalytic degradation of microplastics , Structure-process-analysis relationships
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Institute of Batteries, LLP, Kabanbay Batyr Ave. 53, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, School of Engineering and Digital Sciences, Nazarbayev University, Kabanbay Batyr Ave. 53, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
PI “National Laboratory Astana”, Nazarbayev University, Laboratory of Energy Storage Systems, Kabanbay Batyr Ave. 53, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
Institute of Batteries
Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering
PI “National Laboratory Astana”
10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель
Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026