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Biomass-based N-TiO2 composites for polyvinylchloride nano plastic photodegradation
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Scientists created a low-cost water filter material by combining corn cob waste (turned into activated carbon) with a light-activated titanium compound, and it removed 94% of PVC nanoplastics, tiny plastic particles from vinyl products, from water after just 3 hours under simple light exposure. This matters because nanoplastics in our water supply are a growing health concern, and this approach offers an affordable, sustainable way to filter them out using agricultural waste instead of expensive materials.
Plastic pollution of the environment and water is a persistent global concern. Microplastic contamination has impacted aquatic environments, demanding the development of efficient remediation techniques to address this issue. In this work, N-TiO 2 –supported corncob activated (ZnCl 2 ) carbon (CCAC/N-TiO 2 ) composites (CT13) (CT11), and (CT31) were synthesized through a simple wet-impregnation approach. The prepared composite materials were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, XRD (X-ray diffraction), SEM (Scanning electron microscopy), EDS (Electron dispersive spectroscopy), XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) techniques. Tauc’s method was applied to evaluate the optical band gap, and the results indicated that the composite material’s spectral response extended into the visible-light region, accompanied by a significant reduction in band gap energy. The removal performance of the CCAC/N-TiO 2 composites toward PVC-NPs was systematically evaluated under different pH conditions (4, 7, and 10), varying contact times, and various light conditions. CT13 composite demonstrated exceptional performance, achieving a 94% degradation efficiency after 180 min of exposure to tungsten light. The removal of PVC-NPs was determined to occur via a photocatalytic pathway and was confirmed by quenching experiments. Additionally, SEM, FTIR, DLS, and fluorescence microscopy verified the presence of PVC-NPs on the composite surfaces under both dark and light conditions. The major photodegradation products were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The addition of CCAC to N-TiO 2 significantly improved its ability to remove PVC-NPs. This is because the CCAC addition increased the number of active sites for adsorption. The CT13 composite’s surface attracts and captures the PVC-NPs through a variety of interactions, including hydrophobic interactions, electrostatic attractions, π-π interactions, halogen bonding, and hydrogen bonding. This strong adsorption increases the number of available reaction sites, which in turn boosts the photocatalytic removal of the PVC-NPs. This study sheds light on the use of biomass-derived materials for water purification, providing a long-term solution to pollution and agricultural waste issues.
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Conservation of Agricultural Waste into Functional Carbon Materials for Sustainable Water Purification
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Scientists are turning farm leftovers, like corn cobs and husks, into a charcoal-like material that can filter dangerous stuff out of water, including toxic metals like lead, harmful dyes from factories, and even microplastics. This matters because it could offer a cheap, eco-friendly way to clean up drinking water sources, especially in areas where expensive filtration systems aren't an option. Removing microplastics is particularly important for human health, since these tiny plastic particles have been linked to potential health risks when ingested through contaminated water.
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Scientists created a biodegradable filter—made from shrimp-shell-derived materials and a light-activated mineral (titanium dioxide)—that can catch nearly 90% of microplastics from seawater and even help break them down further when exposed to UV light. This matters because microplastics are increasingly found in seafood and drinking water, and effective, eco-friendly filtration methods like this could eventually help reduce the amount of plastic contamination that ends up on our plates.
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Researchers developed a new light-powered cleaning method using modified titanium dioxide to break down PET microplastics in water. The process works under visible light at room temperature, making it more practical and environmentally friendly than other cleanup approaches. This matters because PET is one of the most common plastics found polluting waterways.
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Scientists engineered a special material (tiny fibers made of titanium dioxide and a light-sensitive compound) that, when activated by regular visible light, can break down two nasty water pollutants at once: antibiotic residues and microplastic particles. In lab tests, this material removed nearly all traces of an antibiotic and other contaminants from water, and it also broke down tough plastic particles into smaller fragments—all while staying reusable for at least nine rounds without falling apart or leaching harmful metals. This matters because current water treatment plants struggle to remove both antibiotics (which fuel drug-resistant bacteria
Harnessing lignocellulose hydrogels for efficient and antifouling nanoplastic-capture membranes
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Scientists created a filter made from lignocellulose (a plant-based material found in wood and plant fibers) that can remove over 95% of tiny nanoplastic particles from water without clogging up like traditional filters do. This matters because nanoplastics are increasingly found in our drinking water and are too small for many current filtration systems to catch effectively, so a cheap, plant-based solution like this could help reduce our exposure to these pollutants. The used filters can even be recycled into other useful products, making this a more sustainable option overall.
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