PhD Studentship - Investigating the Effect of Plastics Recycling on Nanoplastic Production in Packaging Applications

This 3.5 year project is fully funded and includes home fees plus a tax free stipend at the current UKRI rate (£18,622 for 2023/24). UK applicants only.

Nanoplastics, defined as plastic particles measuring less than 1000 nanometres, have emerged as a significant concern due to their ability to infiltrate ecosystems, posing potential risks to the environment. Their size allows them to circumvent biological barriers, raising concerns about their effects on animal and human health. Simultaneously, plastic materials play a pivotal role in modern society, particularly in packaging, offering cost-effective and efficient containers for transporting products, including food and drink. In recent months, it has become widely reported that nanoplastics have been identified in drinking water from plastic bottles, with notable variations in the types of plastics detected among different water brands. However, there is currently a lack of understanding regarding what aspects of the bottle contribute to nanoplastic formation and whether the use of recycled plastics, a growing trend, has any influence.

This PhD studentship will investigate factors contributing to the formation of nanoplastics within packaging, with a specific focus on the impact of using recycled plastics. The project will employ advanced characterisation techniques such as asymmetric flow field flow fractionation and centrifugal field flow fractionation as analytical tools for nanoplastic analysis. The research will also involve plastics processing, plastics characterisation, and the development of methods to produce model nanoplastics. Ultimately, this PhD research could help identify new methods for the detection and removal of nanoplastics from the environment, providing insights into the potential impact of nanoplastics on human health and the environment.

The candidate will join a vibrant research group working on related topics at Manchester in both nanomaterials and plastics sustainability. They will be based in the Sir Henry Royce institute, a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility that is the national hub for material science in the UK.

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s in materials science, chemistry or a related discipline.

Experience with either analytical chemistry, nanomaterials, polymer engineering or sustainability principles is desired.

Please contact Dr Tom McDonald before you apply at thomas.mcdonald@manchester.ac.uk.

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