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Compact Zeolite/PVA Composite Disks for High-Performance Microplastic Filtration in Seawater
Summary
Scientists created a new type of filter disk—made from a mineral called zeolite combined with a common plastic-safe polymer—that can catch virtually all microplastic particles from seawater and salty water, even ones as tiny as 0.22 microns (far smaller than a human hair). This matters because microplastics in our water can end up in seafood and drinking water, and this filter works fast, is cheap to make, and could offer a practical way to clean up water supplies before that contamination reaches our plates.
The lack of compact filtration systems that can effectively remove microplastics (MPs) while maintaining high throughput of saline water and seawater is a significant ecological and technological challenge, especially in aquatic environments with prevalent MP pollution. Novel zeolite/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composite disks were fabricated as a compact, pressure-driven filtration solution specifically designed to efficiently remove high concentrations of MPs from saline water and seawater, addressing this challenge. The fabricated zeolite/PVA composite disks were subjected to practical testing in saline water contaminated with polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), and polypropylene (PP) to assess their efficacy and robustness in removing MPs. FESEM and BET analyses confirmed PVA's role in improving mechanical stability and controlling pore size. The Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) results indicated a surface pore size range from 40 to ≤ 0.5 µm, whereas the BET analysis revealed an internal pore diameter between ~ 16 and ~ 62 Å. This distinction enables the complete removal of MPs down to 0.22 µm via pore-size exclusion. The disks showed no detectable MP passage at 1 bar while maintaining water fluxes of 188.30 − 1332.56 L/m 2 ·h, depending on disk composition and test conditions. These disks provide a cost-effective, durable, and scalable alternative to conventional column filters, with the advantages of rapid fabrication and environmental sustainability. While minor PVA degradation may occur over time, the zeolite matrix remains structurally stable, supporting continued filtration performance. This study presents a promising green approach to advancing sustainable water filtration technologies.