Abstract

The release of microplastic fibers from synthetic textiles during domestic laundering is a major contributor to aquatic pollution. Nanomaterial-based surface treatments have recently emerged as a potential route for minimizing microfiber shedding. This study investigates the use, for the first time, of metal oxide nanoparticles (TiO2, ZnO, MgO) functionalized with fatty acids (oleic acid (OA) and stearic acid (SA)) as microfiber-retaining agents. The nanoparticles were modified via a simple adsorption process at room temperature, monitored by zeta potential analysis, and confirmed by DSC-TG and FTIR-ATR analysis. When applied to polyester fabrics during simulated washing cycles, the hydrophobicity of the polyester surface coated with functionalized nanoparticles was assessed via contact angle measurements, and the effect on microfiber shedding was evaluated by the filtration of wastewater and by weighing the mass of fibers retained in the filters. ZnO and MgO nanoparticles treated with stearic and oleic acid demonstrated a significant reduction in fiber shedding compared to commercial laundry detergent (approximately 46–70%). In contrast, fatty acid adsorption onto TiO2 was less efficient (reduction in microfiber release ~23%), and the TiO2-based systems showed limited improvement in microfiber shedding, possibly due to insufficient hydrophobic interaction. These results demonstrate that fatty acid functionalization of low-cost inorganic nanoparticles is a promising strategy for mitigating microfiber pollution in laundry effluents.

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