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Synthesis of metal organic framework-based hydrogel for microplastics removal from aquatic environments
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Scientists have created a sponge-like material that can filter out up to 98% of microplastics from wastewater, including the kind released when we wash synthetic clothing, one of the biggest sources of microplastic pollution. Since microplastics have been found in our food, water, and even our bodies, this reusable filter could help stop plastic particles from entering our environment (and eventually our bodies) in the first place. While still in the research phase, this technology offers a promising, practical tool for tackling microplastic pollution at its source, like laundry systems and wastewater treatment plants.
Microplastics (MPs) pollution has emerged as a pressing global environmental problem. Current research in this field remains exploratory because there is a lack of standards, methods, and policies for the detection, removal, and regulation of MPs discharge. In this study, a series of metal-organic framework (MOFs)-incorporated hydrogels was successfully fabricated via a photo-initiated cross-linking strategy, offering a facile and efficient preparation approach applicable to the removal of diverse MPs types. Among them, ZIF-8.1@H6mg exhibited the highest MPs removal efficiencies, achieving up to 97% for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and 98% for polyethylene (PE) in laundry wastewater, one of the main sources of MPs pollution. The material demonstrated excellent recyclability, with MPs removal efficiency only slightly decreasing to 96% after six reuse cycles. It maintained stable operation for approximately 4 h, and pre-treatment with backwashing further enhanced long-term filtration performance. Comprehensive characterization of the ZIF-8 hydrogel composites suggests that their interpenetrating network structures, zeta potential, and surface functional groups contributed to their superior performance. These findings highlight the potential of ZIF-based hydrogels as sustainable and effective materials for mitigating the growing threat of MPs pollution.
More Papers Like This
Advances in metal-organic frameworks for microplastic removal from aquatic environments: Mechanisms and performance insights
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Researchers reviewed over 65 studies on using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) — highly porous, sponge-like materials — to remove microplastics from water, finding some MOFs achieved up to 98% removal efficiency and could be reused six times, making them a promising filtration technology for microplastic pollution.
Microplastics removal from aqueous environment by metal organic frameworks
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This review examines how metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a class of advanced porous materials, can remove 70-99.9% of microplastics from water in laboratory settings. MOFs can be customized with specific pore sizes and chemical properties to target different types of microplastics. While challenges remain with cost and scaling up, this technology shows promise for developing more effective water treatment systems to reduce human exposure to microplastics in drinking water.
Eco-friendly hydrophobic ZIF-8/sodium alginate monolithic adsorbent: An efficient trap for microplastics in the aqueous environment
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Scientists created an eco-friendly sponge-like material made from a metal-organic framework (ZIF-8) and seaweed-based sodium alginate that can trap microplastics from water. The material removed up to 594 milligrams of microplastics per gram of adsorbent and worked well even in real-world water samples like tap water, river water, and seawater. This type of practical, reusable filter material could help reduce the amount of microplastics reaching drinking water supplies.
Metal-Organic Frameworks as robust adsorbents for Microplastic Removal – A review of Synthesis Strategies, Mechanistic insights and Computational studies
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Millions of tons of plastic waste end up in our oceans and water supply every year, breaking down into tiny microplastic particles that can carry toxic chemicals into our bodies and disrupt biological processes. This review paper rounds up recent research on a promising cleanup tool called Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) — sponge-like materials with tiny pores that act like magnets, trapping and removing over 97% of microplastics from water in lab tests, even after being reused multiple times. While these materials aren't yet in widespread use, they represent a hopeful next step toward cleaner water and reduced microplastic
Metal–organic framework-based foams for efficient microplastics removal
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Scientists developed foam materials made from zirconium metal-organic frameworks that can efficiently capture microplastics from water, offering a promising filtration approach for water treatment applications. The porous foam structure provides high surface area for trapping plastic particles.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.