We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Enhanced polystyrene nanoplastic removal by CTAB-modified magnetic biochar: Adsorption performance and mechanisms
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers engineered a CTAB-modified magnetic biochar adsorbent that removes polystyrene nanoplastics with a maximum capacity of 234 mg/g — more than double unmodified biochar — through electrostatic attraction, hydrophobic interactions, and iron oxide surface complexation, while also being easily retrievable with a magnet.
Polystyrene (NPs) nanoplastics are emerging ubiquitous contaminants in aquatic environments, but their efficient removal remains challenging. Although conventional biochar offers cost-effective adsorption potential, its practical application is limited by inherent hydrophilicity and poor retrievability. To address these limitations, we engineered cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-modified magnetic biochar (CTAB/MBC) via chemical co-precipitation, synergistically enhancing both magnetism and CTAB-derived hydrophobicity. Remarkably, CTAB/MBC achieved a maximum NPs adsorption capacity of 234 mg g, representing a 2.1-fold increase over unmodified magnetic biochar (MBC) (113 mg g). Optimal performance occurred at environmentally relevant pH 7, attributed to its elevated point of zero charge. Coexisting anions (CO > SO) demonstrated greater inhibition than cations (Ca > Mg > Na), primarily through competitive electrostatic screening. Integrated characterization (SEM, FTIR, XPS) revealed the primary removal mechanisms involved electrostatic attraction facilitated by cationic quaternary ammonium groups, hydrophobic interactions between CTAB alkyl chains and NPs backbones, and surface complexation with FeO sites. This work establishes CTAB/MBC as a high-efficiency and magnetically retrievable adsorbent for nanoplastic remediation while providing a sustainable strategy for agricultural biomass valorization.
More Papers Like This
Removal of nanoplastics from aqueous solution by aggregation using reusable magnetic biochar modified with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide
AI summary Read the abstract
CTAB-modified magnetic biochar was synthesized and found to efficiently remove polystyrene nanoplastics from water through electrostatic attraction, with the magnetic component enabling easy separation and reuse across multiple cycles. The composite offers a practical and low-cost approach for nanoplastic remediation from contaminated water.
Efficiency of adsorption of PSNPs using spontaneous magnetic biochar prepared from pyrolysis of municipal sludge and industrial red mud solid waste
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers prepared a spontaneous magnetic biochar from municipal sludge and industrial red mud waste to remove polystyrene nanoplastics from water. The material achieved a 97.87% removal rate within 30 minutes, with electrostatic interactions identified as the primary adsorption mechanism. The magnetic properties of the biochar enabled easy solid-liquid separation without filtration, offering a practical approach for nanoplastic remediation using waste-derived materials.
Enhanced removal of aged and differently functionalized polystyrene nanoplastics using ball-milled magnetic pinewood biochars
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed magnetic biochars from pinewood using ball-milling with iron oxide nanoparticles, achieving highly effective removal of various functionalized and aged polystyrene nanoplastics from water with easy magnetic separation and reusability.
Performance and Mechanism of Sulfathiazole Adsorption by Magnetic Biochar: Promoting Effect of Co-existing Polystyrene and Simultaneous Removal
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a magnetic biochar capable of simultaneously removing the antibiotic sulfathiazole and polystyrene microplastics from water, finding that polystyrene actually enhanced antibiotic adsorption through complex formation, achieving over 98% removal efficiency for both contaminants.
Removal of polystyrene nanosphere and fragment from aqueous solutions by magnetic biochar derived from crab shell
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a magnetic biochar derived from crab shells (M-CSBC) and demonstrated its effectiveness for removing both spherical polystyrene nanoplastics and fragmental polystyrene microplastics from water. The material achieved maximum removal capacities of 90.09 mg/g for nanoplastics and 14.47 g/g for microplastics, following a Langmuir adsorption model, with performance influenced by pH and salinity.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.