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Synergistic Sustainable Strategies for Microplastic Pollution Eradication by Hedgehog − Shaped Polyoxometalate − Ionic Liquids Supported Magnetic Biochar
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Researchers engineered two magnetic biochar adsorbents incorporating hedgehog-shaped polyoxometalate ionic liquids that achieved 100% removal efficiency for microplastics ranging from 1–12.5 µm from both industrial and laboratory wastewater, remaining stable across five reuse cycles. This highly efficient, magnetically separable material offers a scalable approach to removing microplastics from wastewater effluent before they enter waterways and the broader environment.
Microplastics (MPs) pollution in aquatic systems has been found to be an emerging environmental and health challenge. To overcome MPs pollution and for the sake of sustainable environment, we developed two innovative magnetic biochar adsorbents Q10 [Mo368] @ SiO2 @ Fe3O4 @ Rhc, and Q14 [Mo368] @ SiO2 @ Fe3O4 @ Rhc, for the optimized eradication of MPs from wastewater at industrial and laboratory scale. These composites composed of protein − size hedgehog − shaped polyoxometalate [Mo368], hydrophobic polyoxometalate − based ionic liquids, magnetic nanoparticles, and sustainable rice husk char (Rhc) to achieve unmatched adsorption efficiency. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis displays the surface features and uniform distribution of elements throughout the material. While thermogravimetric analysis and nitrogen adsorption studies revealed a thermally stable and mesoporous nature of Q10 [Mo368] @ SiO2 @ Fe3O4 @ Rhc, and Q14 [Mo368] @ SiO2 @ Fe3O4 @ Rhc. Similarly, vibrating sample magnetometry measurements indicates the superparamagnetic behavior of Q10 [Mo368] @ SiO2 @ Fe3O4 @ Rhc, and Q14 [Mo368] @ SiO2 @ Fe3O4 @ Rhc. Batch adsorption experiments illustrated 100% removal efficiency for MPs across an extensive range of particle size (1–12.5 µm), from industrial wastewater as well as from laboratory water. Both adsorbents show a wide stability and efficiency over five removal cycles. These results suggest that both of the unique adsorbents are highly effective, sustainable, and versatile in complex aqueous environment, making them ideal candidates for large − scale environmental remediation.
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