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Superhydrophobic cotton fabrics for effective removal of high-density polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics: Insights from surface and colloidal analysis
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A superhydrophobic non-woven cotton fabric achieved 99% removal efficiency for high-density polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics from water, with the mechanism explained by increased binding energy and positive Hamaker constants when microplastics are present in the oil phase used in the process.
After achieving a superhydrophobic non-woven cotton fabric (159 ± 1°), we confirmed its effectiveness in removing high-density polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics from water with a removal efficiency of 99%. Our findings suggest that the binding energy of microplastics increases and the Hamaker constant becomes positive when they are present in oil instead of water, leading to their aggregation. As a result, electrostatic interactions become negligible in the organic phase, and van der Waals interactions become more important. The use of the DLVO theory allowed us to confirm that solid pollutants can be easily removed from the oil using superhydrophobic materials.
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This review examines the use of superhydrophobic materials—sponges, meshes, and particulate materials—for removing microplastics from water, highlighting their near-100% removal efficiency enabled by unique wetting properties. It identifies superhydrophobic materials as particularly promising for capturing small microplastic particles that conventional methods struggle to remove.
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Superhydrophobic PDMS coated 304 stainless-steel mesh for the removal of HDPE microplastics
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Surface-functionalised materials for microplastic removal
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This review covers surface-functionalized materials—materials engineered to have specific surface properties—as a promising approach to capturing and removing microplastics from water. Superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic surface coatings can attract plastic particles and facilitate their removal from contaminated water.
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.