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Mussel-inspired modification of polymeric sponges for selective removal of microplastics and nanoplastics from water
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Researchers coated sponges with mussel-inspired materials to capture tiny plastic particles from water in lab tests. The modified sponge removed over 90% of 2-micrometer plastic particles across sizes from 500 nanometers to 10 micrometers, working best at pH 8, and kept working after nine reuse cycles.
This study presents a sustainable, bioinspired approach for removing micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) from water using melamine sponges modified with mussel-inspired polydopamine (PDA) and polyethyleneimine (PEI). The resulting composite (SP2-1) is synthesized via a simple, green, and cost-effective process, introducing catechol and amine functional groups that significantly enhance MNP adsorption through electrostatic, hydrophobic, and π–π interactions. The modified sponge achieved an exceptional sorption capacity of 302 mg/g—among the highest reported for organic and eco-friendly adsorbents—and maintained >90% removal efficiency for 2 µm MNPs across multiple regeneration cycles. A comprehensive evaluation was conducted on MNPs of varying sizes (500 nm to 10 µm) and surface chemistries (carboxylated and aminated), as well as environmentally relevant, polydisperse MNPs generated via photo-degradation of polystyrene. Adsorption performance was strongly influenced by MNP surface charge and pH, with optimal removal observed at pH 8. Importantly, the SP2-1 sponge demonstrated excellent structural and functional stability over nine reuse cycles. This work offers a scalable, low-cost, and environmentally benign platform for broad-spectrum MNP remediation, advancing the field of green water purification technologies.
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Biodegradable sponges made from chitin-cellulose nanofibers for sustainable removal of microplastics from aquatic environment
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Researchers developed a biodegradable sponge made from chitin and cellulose nanofibers that can remove up to 93% of microplastics from water. The sponge maintained strong performance after four reuse cycles and naturally biodegraded in soil environments. The study presents a sustainable, eco-friendly approach to cleaning microplastic contamination from aquatic ecosystems without introducing additional persistent pollutants.
Mussel power: developing a nature-based solution to marine microplastics
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Researchers investigated whether mussels, which naturally filter large volumes of seawater, could be used as a nature-based solution to remove microplastics from coastal environments. Pilot experiments suggested that dense mussel beds could filter significant quantities of microplastic particles from the water column. The concept offers a biologically inspired approach to reducing microplastic concentrations in coastal zones, though the fate of ingested plastics in mussels requires further study.
Development of a technology to remove micro and nanoplastics from the ocean: proof of concept using mussel exposure tests
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Researchers developed a prototype technology to remove micro- and nanoplastics from ocean water and tested it using mussels as a biological indicator of exposure. Mussels naturally filter water and accumulate microplastics, making them useful for testing cleanup approaches.
Biodegradable and re-usable sponge materials made from chitin for efficient removal of microplastics
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Researchers developed biodegradable sponges made from chitin, a natural material, that can effectively remove tiny microplastic particles smaller than 3 micrometers from water. The sponges achieved removal rates of up to 92% and could be reused for multiple cycles while remaining safe for aquatic organisms. This green approach offers a promising, environmentally friendly method for cleaning microplastics from water systems.
Mussel Adhesive Protein-Assisted Magnetic Recovery of Microplastics from Aquatic Environments
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Researchers developed a mussel adhesive protein-assisted magnetic recovery system for capturing and removing microplastics from aquatic environments, demonstrating that the bio-inspired magnetic coating enabled efficient MP binding and retrieval using external magnetic fields.
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.