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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.
A magnetic activated biochar-zeolite composite (MACZ) was produced and coated with polyethyleneglycol (PEG) and polyethylenimine (PEI) to produce (PMACZ) and enhance its electrostatic properties for the adsorption of 2 µm and 15 µm microplastics. Produced adsorbents were characterized with scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), zeta sizer, vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Equilibrium and kinetic laboratory tests were conducted to evaluate the adsorption behaviour. A response surface analysis (RSM) was conducted on a central composite design to evaluate the effects of pH and temperature on adsorption. Zeta potential results showed PEG/PEI can induce positive charges on adsorbents. Adsorption kinetic followed a pseudo-second-order model with R2 of 99 %. The results of isotherm studies indicated a correlation with the Temkin model with a maximum R2 of 98 %. The results showed a maximum adsorption capacity of 736 mg/g and 769 mg/g for PMACZ on 2 µm and 15 µm microplastic, respectively. Optimization results indicated a pH of 4 and a temperature of 28 and 24 for maximum adsorption of 2 µm and 15 µm microplastics. ANOVA analysis showed pH has a higher impact on adsorption. The produced material can be regenerated for a minimum of 4 cycles. The effect of ion matrixes, sea salt, tap water and waste water effluent on adsorption of MACZ and PMACZ has been investigated.
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