Biofilms on Plastics Slow Photo-Oxidation while Promoting Surface Degradation.

ABSTRACT: Plastics in natural environments undergo physicochemical aging, yet the role of biofilms─microbial communities that colonize plastic surfaces─remains poorly understood. To evaluate this, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) drinking bottles were exposed to natural freshwater to facilitate biofilm formation, and subsequently subjected to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation to assess the influence of biofilms on weathering. Results showed that biofilms exert dual roles, as both protectors and aggressors. When combined with UV exposure, biofilms intensified surface morphological alterations, root-mean-square roughness increased from ∼22 nm for pristine PET to ∼874 nm, and altered polymer crystallinity, as indicated by a shift in the Raman spectrum. They increased brittleness and reduced impact strength,

SUBMITTER: Goßmann I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12573796 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature