We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Octopus-like biomass-based flocculant for broad-spectrum water purification
Summary
Researchers developed a novel biomass-based flocculant shaped like an octopus that can remove a wide range of water contaminants in a single treatment step. The material, built from lignin with multiple functional arms, effectively captured microplastics, heavy metals, organic dyes, and other pollutants that conventional flocculants struggle to address. The approach offers a more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative for water purification.
Flocculation plays a critical role in water purification, directly influencing treatment efficiency and costs. Conventional flocculants primarily target colloids and particulates but exhibit limited efficacy against dissolved organic compounds and emerging contaminants, leading to increased downstream treatment costs. Here, we present an innovative octopus-like biomass-based flocculant (OBF) designed for efficient, one-step removal of a broad-spectrum of water contaminants. The structure of OBF harnesses lignin's interfacial interactions (hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interactions, and π-π interactions) combined with the electrostatic attraction of cationic branches, achieving removal efficiencies exceeding 90% for humic acid, kaolin, microplastics, and bacteria (96.1% Escherichia coli, 100% Staphylococcus aureus), alongside 98.8% microalgae harvesting. In practical applications, OBF reduced lake water turbidity to 0.75 NTU and municipal wastewater chemical oxygen demand (COD) by 85.2%, surpassing the performance of conventional flocculants. With low toxicity, broad pH adaptability, and sustainable biomass sourcing, OBF offers a scalable, cost-effective solution for water treatment. The structural design and interfacial modulation of this graft polymer represent a significant advance in multifunctional water purification technologies.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Water hyacinth-inspired self-floating photocatalytic system for efficient and sustainable water purification
Researchers developed a floating water purification device inspired by the water hyacinth plant, combining a buoyant porous structure with a light-activated photocatalyst to break down pollutants. The device effectively degraded various contaminants including dyes, antibiotics, and microplastics using only sunlight, while remaining stable in both still and flowing water. The study demonstrates a practical, sustainable approach to water cleanup that works without chemicals or external energy sources.
Tailored cellulose-based flocculants for microplastics removal: Mechanistic insights, pH influence, and efficiency optimization
Researchers developed plant-derived (cellulose-based) flocculants that clump microplastics together so they can be more easily removed from water, finding that a low concentration of 0.001 g/mL was optimal and that both electrical charge and water-repelling interactions drive the process depending on the type of plastic.
Removal of Classical and Emerging Contaminants in Water Treatment Using Super-Bridging Fiber-Based Materials
Researchers designed iron-grafted cellulose fibers and tested them for removing both classical contaminants and emerging pollutants including microplastics from wastewater, demonstrating high removal efficiency across a broad range of contaminant types in a single treatment step.
Nature-derived hydrogel for microplastic removal
Scientists developed a nature-based hydrogel made from chitin and lignin that can remove nanoplastics from wastewater with very high efficiency, absorbing up to 1,791 milligrams of plastic per gram of material. This sustainable, reusable filter could help reduce the amount of tiny plastic particles that reach drinking water and ultimately the human body.
Super-bridging fibrous materials for water treatment
Researchers engineered fiber-based materials that dramatically increase the size of clumped particles (called flocs) during water treatment, reducing the need for chemical additives by up to 60% while also effectively removing emerging contaminants like microplastics and nanoplastics from drinking water.