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Enhancing nanoplastics removal and green hydrogen recovery through photovoltaic-driven hybrid electrochemical treatment of urban treated wastewater
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Scientists developed a new solar-powered water treatment system that removes 92% of tiny plastic particles (nanoplastics) from wastewater while also producing clean hydrogen fuel. This is important because nanoplastics are increasingly found in our drinking water and may pose health risks, so having an effective way to remove them while creating useful energy could help protect both our health and environment. The system works like getting two benefits for the price of one – cleaner water and renewable fuel from the same process.
Hybrid electrochemical systems that couple pollutant degradation with green hydrogen (H 2 ) recovery offer a promising pathway toward circular, sustainable wastewater treatment. In this work, a boron-doped diamond (BDD) anode and a Ni Fe stainless-steel (Ni Fe SS) mesh cathode were used, for the first time, to simultaneously degrade polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) and generate green H 2 in synthetic urban treated wastewater. The electrochemical process was driven by photovoltaic solar panels, achieving up to 92% removal of PS-NPs and 83% total organic carbon (TOC) mineralization in a divided cell, mediated by hydroxyl and persulphate radicals. Green H 2 was continuously produced at the cathode with nearly complete Faradaic efficiency, confirming the efficient conversion of electrical energy into a valuable fuel. Furthermore, it was demonstrated, by differential electrochemical mass spectroscopy (DEMS) analysis, that the anodically treated effluent could be directly reused as the catholyte, achieving comparable performance in producing green H 2 with higher purity while reducing freshwater consumption. These results demonstrate the feasibility of integrating nanoplastics abatement and renewable H 2 generation within a single electrochemical process, advancing toward sustainable water-to-energy technologies. • Hybrid electrochemical process coupling nanoplastics removal and H 2 recovery. • Up to 92% PS-NPs and 83% TOC removal were achieved using the BDD anode-Ni-Fe cathode system. • Continuous H 2 generation with nearly 100% Faradaic efficiency. • Treated effluent reused as catholyte, enhancing sustainability and H 2 purity.
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Scientists have created a system that uses plant-based nanoparticles and bacteria to break down plastic waste and toxic chemicals in dirty water, while also generating clean electricity and hydrogen fuel as byproducts. This matters because it tackles plastic pollution and water contamination, problems linked to microplastics entering our food and water supply, while producing usable energy, offering a potential two-for-one solution using eco-friendly materials instead of harsh chemicals.
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Researchers developed a two-step water treatment method that combines nanofiltration (a fine membrane filter) with electrooxidation (using electricity to break down pollutants) to completely remove nanoplastics from water. This approach is significant because nanoplastics are too small for many conventional filters to catch, and this system was able to eliminate them entirely.
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Scientists developed a new method that can remove up to 98% of tiny plastic particles from water in just three hours using a special electrical process. Instead of just destroying the plastic waste, this technique turns it into useful chemicals like acids that can be used to make other products. This breakthrough could help clean up plastic pollution in our water while also creating a way to recycle plastic waste into valuable materials.
Microplastic detection and remediation through efficient interfacial solar evaporation for immaculate water production
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Researchers developed a solar-powered water purification system that simultaneously produces clean water and removes microplastics, achieving up to 5.5 times better microplastic removal than previous methods. The system uses sunlight to evaporate water, leaving contaminants including microplastics behind. This dual-purpose technology could help address both water scarcity and microplastic pollution, ultimately reducing human exposure through drinking water.
Treatment of microplastics in tannery wastewater using a Hybrid Fenton–Electrocoagulation–Electroflocculation process
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Scientists developed a new water treatment method that combines two cleaning techniques—one using chemicals, one using electricity—to strip tiny plastic particles (microplastics) out of wastewater from leather tanneries. In tests, the process removed over 95% of microplastics from real factory wastewater while using relatively little energy, offering a practical way to keep these plastic particles out of rivers and water supplies where they could eventually make their way into the food we eat and water we drink.
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