Fibre Morphology and Surface Chemistry Characterisation
topic
Shed microfibre morphological characterisation uses scanning electron microscopy to image fibre cross-section, surface texture, and fibrillation characteristics, while X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry quantify surface finishing chemical composition on shed fibres, assessing whether surface-bound chemicals including dyes, softeners, and PFAS are co-transported with shed microfibres into aquatic environments.
Role
Determines whether textile surface chemical treatments are transported adsorbed onto shed microfibre surfaces, potentially enhancing the toxicological impact of microfibres by delivering concentrated surface-bound toxic chemicals to aquatic organisms that ingest the fibres, beyond the physical effects of microplastic ingestion alone.