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Capturing colloidal nano- and microplastics with plant-based nanocellulose networks
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Researchers developed a plant-based nanocellulose network that can capture even the smallest nanoplastic particles from water. The material works primarily through its moisture-absorbing properties, which are enhanced by the extremely high surface area of nanocellulose fibers. This technology could enable both better measurement of nanoplastic contamination in water and practical on-site collection of these hard-to-capture particles.
Microplastics accumulate in various aquatic organisms causing serious health issues, and have raised concerns about human health by entering our food chain. The recovery techniques for the most challenging colloidal fraction are limited, even for analytical purposes. Here we show how a hygroscopic nanocellulose network acts as an ideal capturing material even for the tiniest nanoplastic particles. We reveal that the entrapment of particles from aqueous environment is primarily a result of the network's hygroscopic nature - a feature which is further intensified with the high surface area of nanocellulose. We broaden the understanding of the mechanism for particle capture by investigating the influence of pH and ionic strength on the adsorption behaviour. We determine the nanoplastic binding mechanisms using surface sensitive methods, and interpret the results with the random sequential adsorption (RSA) model. These findings hold potential for the explicit quantification of the colloidal nano- and microplastics from different aqueous environments, and eventually, provide solutions to collect them directly on-site where they are produced.
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Capturing the colloidal microplastics with plant-based nanocellulose networks
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Researchers found that nanocellulose—a material derived from plants—can efficiently capture colloidal microplastics and even nanoplastics from water, including particles too small for conventional filters. Plant-based nanocellulose networks could offer a sustainable, biodegradable solution for removing the smallest and most challenging microplastic fractions from water.
Leveraging Intrinsic Hemicellulose in Cellulose Nanopaper for Enhanced Nanoplastic Collection
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Researchers developed a cellulose-based nanopaper that can efficiently capture nanoplastics from water using natural hemicellulose as a key component. The hemicellulose enhances the paper's ability to adsorb plastic nanoparticles through stronger molecular interactions and creates a porous structure that works well under flowing water conditions. As a bonus, the used nanopaper loaded with captured plastics can be recycled into high-performance composite materials.
Potential of Nanocellulose for Microplastic removal: Perspective and challenges
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Researchers reviewed how nanocellulose — tiny fibers derived from plant cell walls — can capture and remove microplastics from water through its large surface area and adaptable chemistry, positioning it as a promising, naturally biodegradable filter material. While early results are encouraging, further research is needed to optimize how nanocellulose works at scale in real drinking water and wastewater treatment systems.
Leveraging IntrinsicHemicellulose in Cellulose Nanopaperfor Enhanced Nanoplastic Collection
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Researchers demonstrated that cellulose nanopaper assembled from cellulose nanofibrils containing intrinsic hemicellulose can efficiently capture diversified nanoplastics from aqueous environments through interfacial adsorption and physical interception, leveraging the hierarchical lignocellulose microstructure for enhanced nanoplastic collection.
Harnessing lignocellulose hydrogels for efficient and antifouling nanoplastic-capture membranes
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Scientists created a filter made from lignocellulose (a plant-based material found in wood and plant fibers) that can remove over 95% of tiny nanoplastic particles from water without clogging up like traditional filters do. This matters because nanoplastics are increasingly found in our drinking water and are too small for many current filtration systems to catch effectively, so a cheap, plant-based solution like this could help reduce our exposure to these pollutants. The used filters can even be recycled into other useful products, making this a more sustainable option overall.
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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.