We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Engineered uio-66-nh2 hybrid nanocomposites for antifouling ultrafiltration membranes with dual resistance to microplastics and protein fouling
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists have engineered a new water filter material that better resists clogging from microplastics, tiny plastic particles increasingly found in our water supplies. By adding special particle coatings to filtration membranes, the improved filters let water flow through more easily and stay cleaner for longer, with one version recovering 93% of its filtering power after use compared to just 55% for standard filters. This matters because more effective, longer-lasting water treatment technology could help remove microplastic pollution before it reaches our drinking water, though this research was done in lab conditions and hasn't yet been tested in real-world treatment plants.
The growing presence of microplastics (MPs) in water and their impact on ultrafiltration (UF) membranes during the early stages of wastewater treatment highlight the need for effective mitigation strategies. This study explores the innovative modification of UF membranes by incorporating various hybrid metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) nanoparticles, including UiO-66-NH 2 hybrids with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) (UiOM), chitosan (UiOC), and sulfobetaine zwitterions (UiOZ). These nanoparticles were synthesized and integrated into innovative UF membranes to compare their performance on MPs fouling effect in particular. The integration enhanced membrane hydrophilicity and altered surface roughness, creating a hydrophilic functional network that improved water permeability. Water flux increased significantly across all modified membranes compared to the control. The hydrophilicity and porosity of the membranes, along with the porosity of the nanoparticles, were key factors in enhancing water flux. UiOZ and UiOM membranes demonstrated the highest water flux due to their superior hydrophilicity and porosity. All modified membranes exhibited better antifouling characteristics compared to the control UF membrane. UiOM and UiOZ membranes followed similar flux decline trends, whereas UiOC membranes demonstrated the best overall performance. The UiOC membrane also achieved the highest flux recovery of 93%, significantly outperforming the control UF membrane, which had a recovery of 55%. Among all the tested membranes, UiOC exhibited the best overall antifouling performance, whereas UiOM demonstrated the highest water flux. This study highlights the potential of hybrid MOF-modified UF membranes for treating complex wastewater containing microsized plastics, which are among the rapidly emerging pollutants in wastewater systems. • Hybrid MOF-modified membranes enhance water flux and antifouling performance. • UiOM membranes demonstrated highest water flux. • UiOC membranes show 93% flux recovery, outperforming the control membrane. • UiOM and UiOZ membranes exhibit similar fouling behaviour.
More Papers Like This
pH-responsive mixed-charge ultrafiltration membranes for adaptive control of single and mixed nanoplastic fouling
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists engineered a new type of water filter membrane that resists clogging from nanoplastics, tiny plastic particles too small to see that are increasingly found in drinking water. By coating the filter with a special material that switches its electrical charge depending on water conditions, they created a self-cleaning surface that blocked over 95% of nanoplastics while staying easier to rinse clean than standard filters. This matters because more effective, longer-lasting water filters could help reduce our exposure to nanoplastics, which scientists are still studying for potential health effects.
Membrane surface engineering to enhance microplastic and nanoplastic antifouling performance in water treatment
AI summary Read the abstract
Tiny plastic particles (microplastics and nanoplastics) are increasingly showing up in our water supplies, and while special filters can remove them, these particles tend to clog and damage the filters over time, making water treatment less effective and more costly. This research shows that by re-engineering the surface of filter membranes, changing their texture and chemical properties, scientists can prevent plastic particles from sticking and building up, making it easier to clean the filters and keep them working longer. This matters because more reliable, longer-lasting water filtration means safer drinking water with fewer microplastics, which is important since these particles are linked to potential health concerns
Dual metal-organic framework composite – Polyethersulfone hybrid hollow fiber membranes for effective elimination of microplastics and toxic contaminants from wastewater via ultrafiltration
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists developed a new water-filtering material that can remove up to 97% of microplastics, along with toxic dyes and heavy metals like lead and mercury, from contaminated water. This matters because current water treatment methods often struggle to catch these tiny plastic particles and pollutants, which can build up in our bodies over time; this new filter could offer a cheaper, more effective way to clean drinking water and protect public health.
An innovative NH2-UiO-66/NH2-MIL-125 MOF-on-MOF structure to improve the performance and antifouling properties of ultrafiltration membranes
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists combined two special crystal materials (called MOFs) to create a new water filter membrane that lets water flow through much faster while still blocking 94% of contaminants like microplastics and proteins. This upgraded filter also resists clogging better than standard filters, which matters because clogged filters need more frequent replacement and can let unwanted particles slip through over time, both important factors for making clean water access more reliable and affordable.
Development of robust, fouling-resistant superhydrophilic membranes for the efficient removal of combined microplastic and oil contamination
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists are developing a special water filter that can tackle a tricky problem: microplastics and oil often team up in polluted water, clogging regular filters and making cleanup harder. This new filter has a water-loving coating that lets clean water pass through while blocking both oil droplets and microplastic particles, staying effective longer without getting gunked up. Better filtration technology like this could eventually help reduce the amount of microplastics and oil-based pollutants that end up in our drinking water and environment.
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.