PhD Scientific Days 2026

Poster Session 3.J - Theoretical and Translational Medicine

Bottom-up Synthesis of Polyamide 6 Nanoplastics

Name of the presenter

Nanys, Mónika

Institute/workplace of the presenter

Semmelweis University, Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology

Authors

Mónika Nanys¹, Péter Tőkés¹, Milán Medárd Gácsi¹, Kristóf Molnár¹, Angéla Jedlovszky-Hajdú^1,2
1: Semmelweis University, Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology
2: HUN-REN-SU Biophysical Virology Research Group, Budapest, Hungary

Text of the abstract

Humans are continuously exposed to a broad spectrum of nano- and microplastic pollutants, which are suspected to contribute to various adverse health effects. However, the relationships between these effects and specific particle characteristics—such as size, shape, and chemical composition—remain poorly understood. Awareness of plastic accumulation in the environment dates back to the 1960s, while the term “microplastics” first appeared in scientific literature in 2004. Only in recent years have these particles been detected in human tissues, organs, and bodily fluids. Despite growing global concern, micro- and nanoplastic pollution remains an active area of research with many unresolved questions.
In particular, there is a lack of studies focusing on polyamide 6 (PA6) nanoplastics and their potential use as standard reference materials. In this project, we aim to synthesize PA6 particles that could serve as standardized samples for the validation of analytical methods and devices, as well as for future in vivo biodistribution studies.
PA6 nanoparticles were synthesized from a polymer solution in the presence of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) using an ultrasound-assisted precipitation method. Sizes of particles and zeta potential measurements were determined by dynamic light scattering (Anton Paar) in the same instrument using an Omega cuvette. Particle morphology was further characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Preliminary results indicate that the particles form a polydisperse system, with sizes ranging from the nanometer to micrometer scale. Zeta potential measurements revealed a pH-dependent behavior within the pH range of 3–9.
This work represents an initial step toward establishing PA6 nanoplastics as standard materials for biomedical research.