A magnet attracts the material that the team used to make adsorbents that remove microplastics and dissolved pollutants from water. Credit: RMIT University
Key Points:
- Innovative nanomaterials containing iron have been shown to be successful in removing microplastics from water.
- The “magnets” allow cleanup of miniscule microparticles that are not detectable by existing wastewater treatment plants.
- The team is looking for commercial partners to expand the technology.
Researchers at RMIT University have found an innovative way to remove miniscule, hazardous microplastics from water using magnets in just one hour.
The researchers have developed an adsorbent using nanomaterials that they can mix into water to attract microplastics and dissolved pollutants. The nanomaterials contain iron, which enabled the team to use magnets to easily separate the microplastics and pollutants from the water.
“The nano-pillar structure we’ve engineered to remove this pollution, which is impossible to see but very harmful to the environment, is recycled from waste and can be used multiple times,” said Nicky Eshtiaghi from RMIT’s School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering. “This is a big win for the environment and the circular economy.”
Importantly, the material can remove microplastics 1,000 times smaller than those currently detectable by existing wastewater treatment plants. For example, microplastics smaller than 5 millimeters, which can take up to 450 years to degrade, do not get removed through conventional treatment systems. This results in millions of tons of microplastics being released into the sea every year.
“This is not only harmful for aquatic life, but also has significant negative impacts on human health,” said co-lead researcher Nasir Mahmood.
Additionally, the nano-pillar material does not create any secondary pollutants or carbon footprint.
The researchers have successfully tested the adsorbents in the lab, and they plan to engage with industry to further develop the innovation.
Eshtiaghi and her colleagues have worked with various water utilities across Australia, including Melbourne Water and Water Corporation in Perth, on a recent Australian Research Council Linkage project to optimize sludge pumping systems.
Information provided by RMIT.