0
Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Human Health Effects Marine & Wildlife Remediation Sign in to save

Assessing the Removal Efficiency of Microplastics from Water Using Electrocoagulation

Advanced materials research 2025 Score: 48 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Hira Amjad, Nida Maqbool, S. N. Sarwar, Ahmed Sohail, MOHAMAD AZHAR MOHD NOOR

Summary

Researchers in Pakistan tested electrocoagulation as an affordable method for removing microplastics from water, measuring removal efficiency across different electrode materials and operating conditions. The technique achieved high removal rates while meeting sustainable development goals around clean water access, with iron electrodes outperforming aluminum.

Polymers
Study Type Environmental

Microplastic contamination is a severe environmental problem that must be addressed, especially in developing countries like Pakistan, where there is a dearth of research on its effects on ecosystems and public health. Our initiative suggests an economical and environmentally friendly method for removing microplastic from aquatic habitats, which helps to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). For our experiment, we utilized electrocoagulation (EC), an electrolytic method conventionally used for water and wastewater treatment. EC is well-known for producing coagulants in situ that destabilize and agglomerate microplastics. The intrinsic electrochemical reactions of EC further improve particle removal, providing a low-chemical, size-inclusive, and adaptable technique. The current study utilized low-density polyethylene (LDPE) microplastics with a particular size range. Using aluminum electrodes, system optimization was accomplished at 12 volts and 100 rpm. The effectiveness of the EC procedure was evaluated in a pilot trial that removed microplastics up to 94%.

Sign in to start a discussion.

More Papers Like This

Article Tier 2

Electro-coagulation technique using iron [Fe] and aluminium [Al] for microplastics removal from fashion industry wastewater, Thailand

Laboratory tests showed that electrocoagulation — running electrical current through iron and aluminum electrodes — can remove microplastics from textile industry wastewater in Thailand with high efficiency. Because conventional wastewater treatment plants were not designed to capture particles as small as microplastics, electrochemical methods like this represent a promising upgrade to reduce the millions of microplastic particles released daily from textile factories.

Article Tier 2

Evaluating the performance of electrocoagulation system in the removal of polystyrene microplastics from water

Researchers tested electrocoagulation, a water treatment method that uses electric current to clump particles together, for removing polystyrene microplastics from water. Using aluminum electrodes at neutral pH, they achieved over 90% removal efficiency. This technology could provide a practical and effective way to remove microplastics from drinking water and wastewater, reducing human exposure to these contaminants.

Article Tier 2

Analysis of the Efficiency of the Electrocoagulation Process in the Removal of Microplastics

Researchers demonstrated that electrocoagulation using aluminum electrodes can remove up to 90% of microplastic glitter particles from water, with efficiency increasing as electrical conductivity and current intensity rise. This low-cost, chemical-free approach shows strong potential as a practical treatment step for removing microplastics from water without adding secondary contaminants.

Article Tier 2

Innovative prototype for the mitigation of water pollution from microplastics to safeguard the environment and health

Researchers developed an innovative prototype device for removing microplastics from water through a combination of filtration and electrocoagulation, demonstrating high MP removal efficiency from both synthetic and real water samples in controlled trials.

Article Tier 2

Assessing the efficacy of electrocoagulation process for polypropylene microplastics removal from wastewater: Optimization through TOPSIS approach

Researchers evaluated electrocoagulation as a method for removing polypropylene microplastics from wastewater, testing different electrode materials and operating conditions. They found that using aluminum electrodes achieved up to 95.5% microplastic removal efficiency with relatively low energy consumption. The study suggests that electrocoagulation is a practical and cost-effective treatment option that could complement existing wastewater treatment processes.

Share this paper