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Engineering a chitosan-encapsulated PDA/Fe3O4@cenosphere composite for dual adsorption of microplastics and organic dyes
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Researchers engineered a composite adsorbent from industrial fly ash waste by coating cenospheres with polydopamine and iron oxide, then encapsulating them in chitosan beads. The resulting material demonstrated high adsorption capacity for both polystyrene microplastics and organic dyes, and could be magnetically recovered for reuse. The study presents a sustainable approach to water remediation that simultaneously addresses microplastic and dye pollution using repurposed industrial waste.
Microplastics and dye pollutants threaten aquatic ecosystems and human health, prompting the need for sustainable solutions. Converting industrial solid waste into value-added adsorbents provides an effective remediation pathway. In this work, industrial solid waste-fly ash cenospheres-was transformed into a value-added adsorbent (PMFL) by coating with polydopamine (PDA) and FeO, imparting magnetic recoverability and high adsorption capacity for polystyrene (PS) microplastics (312.00 mg/g). To further improve practical applicability and broaden pollutant removal capacity, PMFL was immobilized within a chitosan matrix to form a monolithic CS@PMFL composite. This structure not only enables facile recovery but also exhibits strong adsorption affinity toward both PS microplastics and Congo red dye. Mechanistic investigations indicated that adsorption involved a combination of electrostatic, chemical, and physical interactions, including π-π stacking, hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic effects, surface complexation and physical entrapment. The materials maintained high adsorption performance across a wide range of pH and ionic conditions, demonstrating robust environmental adaptability. Overall, this study presents a scalable approach for converting industrial waste into multifunctional adsorbents capable of simultaneously removing diverse pollutants.
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The influence of co-existing dyes on the adsorption of polystyrene nanoplastics by activated biochar and Fe/Mg-layered double oxide composite.
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Lab tests examined how two dyes affect the ability of two materials, activated biochar and a metal oxide biochar composite, to adsorb tiny polystyrene plastic particles from water. One dye blocked plastic uptake on plain biochar but increased it on the composite material, with effects depending on dye type, concentration and the adsorbent's surface chemistry.
Superhydrophobic and Sustainable Nanostructured Powdered Iron for the Efficient Separation of Oil-in-Water Emulsions and the Capture of Microplastics
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This study developed and demonstrated a superhydrophobic powdered iron material that can efficiently separate oil from water and capture microplastic fibers through a single filtration process. This dual-function material could be a cost-effective and sustainable tool for removing two major ocean pollutants simultaneously.
The Role of Biocomposites and Nanocomposites in Eliminating Organic Contaminants from Effluents
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Not relevant to microplastics — this review evaluates biocomposite and nanocomposite sorbents for removing heavy metals, dyes, and hydrocarbons from industrial wastewater, comparing adsorption mechanisms and recyclability.
Efficient Removal of Micro-Sized Degradable PHBV Microplastics from Wastewater by a Functionalized Magnetic Nano Iron Oxides-Biochar Composite: Performance, Mechanisms, and Material Regeneration
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Researchers developed a magnetic iron oxide-biochar composite capable of removing biodegradable PHBV microplastics from wastewater with over 98% efficiency. The material worked through a combination of surface adsorption and magnetic separation, maintained performance across a wide pH range, and retained over 92% removal efficiency after four regeneration cycles.
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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.