We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Adsorption Isotherms of PP, PVC, PA6, LDPE, and HDPE Microplastic Particles, and Their Blend on a Hydrophobic Bio-Substrate at Three Temperatures and Two Environments
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested cattail fluff — a superhydrophobic natural material — as a low-cost adsorbent for five plastic polymer types and their blends, achieving removal capacities up to 3,597 mg/g in distilled water, with the Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm best describing the predominantly physical adsorption mechanism.
Micro- and nano-plastic pollution caused by the mismanagement of plastics waste is a significant problem worldwide, causing severe impacts in aquatic and terrestrial environments. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the adsorption capacity of a thermally stable and superhydrophobic bio-substrate to remove microplastic particles (MPPs) from aqueous systems. In this work, the adsorption efficiency of cattail fluff towards MPPs from pristine PP, PVC, PA6, LDPE, HDPE, and their blend was evaluated. The effect of temperature (30 °C, 40 °C, and 50 °C) and two binding environments (distilled water and industrial wastewater) on adsorption was determined. Non-linear regressions of seven adsorption isotherm models including Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, Dubinin–Radushkevich (D–R), Redlich–Peterson (R–P), Toth, and Sips were applied to fit the experimental data. Error function analysis confirmed that the D–R adsorption isotherm model offers the best fit of the experimental data. The results show that the bio-substrate is very effective in adsorbing MPPs from aqueous systems with adsorption capacities of qe = 3597 mg/g and qe = 2807 mg/g in distilled water and synthetic industrial water, respectively. The composition of the MPPs determines the effect of temperature and binding environment on the adsorption performance of the bio-substrate. Physisorption dynamics for the MPP/bio-substrate system are also provided and discussed. Overall, the hydrophobic bio-substrate is highly effective in removing MPPs from aqueous systems, with the added advantages of low cost, sustainability, and scalability for practical applications.
More Papers Like This
Effective Removal of Microplastics Particles from Wastewater using Bio-Substrates
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers evaluated cattail (Typha latifolia) fibres as bio-adsorbents for removing microplastic particles (PVC, PP, LDPE, HDPE, and Nylon 6) from both industrial and distilled wastewater in batch adsorption tests. They found that cattail fibres effectively adsorbed microplastics through spontaneous surface interactions, with adsorption performance varying by plastic type and wastewater composition.
Effective Removal of Microplastic Particles from Wastewater Using Hydrophobic Bio-Substrates
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested natural cattail plant fibers as a low-cost, biodegradable material for removing microplastics from wastewater. The hydrophobic fibers were effective at adsorbing microplastic particles, with removal efficiency influenced by water chemistry and contact time. The study suggests that plant-based bio-adsorbents could offer a sustainable and affordable alternative for filtering microplastics from water treatment systems.
Removal of the Water-Soluble Plastic Pollutant Poly(vinyl alcohol) Using Kaolinite: Physicochemical Effects and Adsorption Mechanisms.
AI summary Read the abstract
A lab study tested whether kaolinite clay could absorb poly(vinyl alcohol), a water-soluble plastic, from water under different conditions. Absorption was strongest with larger plastic molecules, lower acidity, and after heat or ultrasound treatment of the clay, with hydrogen bonding identified as the main chemical mechanism involved.
Superhydrophobic Materials and Intermolecular Forces for Microplastics Removal
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines the use of superhydrophobic materials—sponges, meshes, and particulate materials—for removing microplastics from water, highlighting their near-100% removal efficiency enabled by unique wetting properties. It identifies superhydrophobic materials as particularly promising for capturing small microplastic particles that conventional methods struggle to remove.
Interfacial capture of microplastics by a superhydrophobic COF–zeolite medium: Performance and multiscale mechanisms
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers created a water-repellent filter material, coating zeolite with special chemical layers, to capture microplastics from stormwater in lab tests. The modified material removed much more plastic (PP, PE, and PET) than untreated zeolite, with PET captured most effectively, and stayed water-repellent even under salty, acidic, or abrasive conditions.
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.