We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Removal of polystyrene nanoplastics from urban treated wastewater by electrochemical oxidation
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists demonstrated a new method for removing polystyrene nanoplastics from treated wastewater using electrochemical oxidation with a special diamond-coated electrode. The technique achieved over 90% removal of the nanoplastics and reduced the toxicity of treated water to non-toxic levels. This approach could be a practical addition to existing wastewater treatment to address nanoplastic pollution that slips through conventional systems.
• Efficient removal of polystyrene NPs from wastewater using BDD anodes. • Mineralisation > 90 % achievable at current densities > 50 mA cm −2 . • Generation of oxidants from the ions contained in wastewater. • Robust process performance with varying NPs concentrations. • Toxicity of treated effluents reduced to non-toxic levels at high current densities. This work investigates for the first time the removal of polystyrene nanoplastics (NPs) from synthetic urban treated wastewater by electrochemical oxidation with Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD). The influence of current density (10–100 mA cm −2 ) and initial pollutant concentration (20–100 mg L -1 ) was evaluated. Additionally, the effect of the anode material on NPs removal was studied, employing Mixed Metal Oxide (MMO) anodes. The process efficiency was assessed through Total Organic Carbon (TOC) reduction and acute toxicity tests using the Aliivibrio fischeri luminescent bacterium. Results demonstrate that BDD anodes achieve mineralisation rates exceeding 90 % at current densities above 50 mA cm −2 , whereas MMO anodes exhibit significantly lower degradation. Due to competing reactions, such as oxygen evolution, the process efficiency decreases at higher current densities with BDD anodes. NPs removal occurs primarily by a mediated oxidation process involving electrochemically generated oxidants. After treatment, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis reveals a progressive reduction in NPs size from 150 nm to 68 nm. Regarding toxicity analysis, acute toxicity can be eliminated by applying current densities above 50 mA cm −2 , indicating that the generated by-products are non-toxic. These findings highlight the feasibility of electrochemical oxidation with BDD anodes for removing NPs from urban treated wastewater since the experimental conditions used in the previous literature often differ significantly from those in real wastewater. The study underscores its potential as a sustainable technology to mitigate the spread of these emerging pollutants into the environment.
More Papers Like This
Promoting removal of polystyrene microplastics from wastewater by electrochemical treatment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers demonstrated that electrochemical treatment using specialized diamond electrodes can break down polystyrene microplastics in water by generating powerful oxidizing molecules. While still at the lab scale, this approach could eventually help remove microplastics from wastewater before they reach the environment and enter the human food chain.
Electrochemical and photoelectrochemical oxidation processes for polystyrene microplastic treatment: BDD anode vs Sb-doped SnO2 ceramic anode coated with a CdFe2O4 photocatalytic layer
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compared two electrode-based methods for breaking down polystyrene microplastics in water: a boron-doped diamond anode and a ceramic anode with a light-activated coating. Both approaches achieved over 95% removal of microplastics, with the diamond anode reaching up to 99% efficiency. The study demonstrates that electrochemical oxidation is a promising technology for removing microplastic contamination from water.
Enhancing the degradation of polystyrene and polyethylene terephthalate microplastics in water using electrochemical treatment at neutral pH
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested an electrochemical method using a boron-doped diamond anode to break down polystyrene and PET microplastics in water at neutral pH. They found that optimizing current intensity and treatment time led to significant degradation of both plastic types, with measurable reductions in particle mass and changes in surface chemistry. The study demonstrates that electro-oxidation could be a viable approach for treating microplastic-contaminated water without needing to add chemicals.
Mechanistic insights into electrocoagulation-driven removal of polystyrene nanoplastics from urban treated wastewater
AI summary Read the abstract
Regular wastewater treatment doesn't catch tiny plastic particles called nanoplastics, so they end up flowing into rivers and lakes, where studies show they're toxic to aquatic life. This research found that an electrical treatment method (using a mild electric current with metal electrodes to clump particles together) can remove essentially all nanoplastics from treated wastewater and completely eliminate the toxic effects they cause. While this study tested effects on a bacteria-based toxicity indicator rather than directly on humans, it points to a promising, practical way to keep these pollutants out of waterways before they can accumulate in the food ch
Efficient removal of nanoplastics from synthetic wastewater using electrocoagulation
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers demonstrated that electrocoagulation using aluminum electrodes can remove more than 95% of polystyrene nanoplastics from synthetic wastewater, offering a promising treatment upgrade for conventional wastewater plants that currently allow nanoplastics to pass through.
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.