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Exploring the Potential of Amino-Functionalized Zeolite Series/H3PO4-Biochar for Environmental Microplastic Removal
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Scientists developed a new material made from modified zeolite and coffee-waste biochar that can remove polystyrene microplastics from water. The material successfully cleaned both drinking water and wastewater samples, offering a potential low-cost tool for filtering microplastics out of water supplies. Reducing microplastics in drinking water is directly relevant to lowering human exposure.
The problem of microplastics (MPs) in the environment has been an emerging concern to the world in recent times. This is because the migration of MPs in the environment has been identified as deleterious culprits of the entire ecosystem and by extension may cause a decrease in life expectancy and quality of life in humans, fauna, and flora. This threat is seriously militating against the continuous existence and well-being of the entire ecosystem. Therefore, this research attempts to provide a solution to this global problem through the application of amino-functionalized zeolite series/phosphoric acid-coffee waste biochar (AFZ) for the removal of polystyrene MPs in solutions, drinking water, and wastewater. Findings from this research showed that AFZ removed 4.78 to 4.85 mg g–1 of polystyrene MPs from solutions at 20 to 50 °C, respectively. This was achieved by a combination of chemisorption and physisorption mechanisms via hydrophobic interactions between the π-electrons of the sp2 carbon orbital and π–π aromatic moieties of AFZ and the π-electrons of the polystyrene MPs and electrostatic attraction between AFZ and polystyrene MPs, respectively. Surface characterization of AFZ before and after its uptake of polystyrene MPs revealed that functional moieties such as C–H, C–O, C=C, N–H, Al–O, and Si–O was majorly responsible for the adsorption process. Hence, this research revealed that AFZ has potential to treat polystyrene MP-contaminated drinking water and wastewater.
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Preparation and application of metal-modified biochar in the purification of micro-polystyrene polluted aqueous environment
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Researchers developed iron-modified biochar, a charcoal-like material, that can remove over 96% of polystyrene microplastics from water under controlled lab conditions. The material worked well in tap water and lake water but was less effective in heavily polluted water with high levels of organic matter. This type of low-cost water treatment technology could help reduce the amount of microplastics in drinking water, though more work is needed to apply it at larger scales.
Hybrid Chitin-Coffee Ground Biochar Foam for Microplastic Adsorption
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Researchers developed a sustainable hybrid foam made from waste seafood chitin and used coffee ground biochar for filtering microplastics from water. The study found that the foam achieved consistently high adsorption efficiency across seawater, river water, and deionized water, particularly for polystyrene microspheres larger than 1 micrometer, offering an eco-friendly approach to microplastic removal.
Design and Evaluation of a Biochar-Integrated Supramolecular Fibrous Framework for Efficient Microplastics Removal from Aqueous Environments
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Researchers combined waste derived biochar with chitin and cellulose fibers to make a filter material, then tested it in lab columns for removing microplastics from water. A filter made only of quartz removed about 42% of polyethylene microplastics, while the biochar fiber combination removed about 95%, with better results at taller filter beds and slower water flow.
Engineered biochar as a powerful tool for microplastics removal from wastewater: a critical review
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Microplastics, tiny plastic particles that can end up in our water and food, are hard to filter out of wastewater, which is a growing concern for both the environment and human health. This review pulls together existing research showing that "engineered biochar" (charcoal-like material made from cheap, natural sources and specially treated to trap more pollutants) works much better than plain charcoal at soaking up microplastics from water. While more research is needed, this suggests an affordable, eco-friendly way to help keep microplastics out of our water supply before they reach us.
A novel polymer coated magnetic activated biochar-zeolite composite for adsorption of polystyrene microplastics: Synthesis, characterization, adsorption and regeneration performance
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Researchers developed a new magnetic composite material made from biochar, zeolite, and polymer coatings that can effectively capture microplastics from water. The material removed over 90 percent of test microplastics and could be regenerated and reused multiple times. The study presents a promising, practical approach for filtering microplastics out of contaminated water using materials that can be magnetically recovered.
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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.