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Nanocellulose sponges embedding metal oxide nanoparticles for adsorption and photodegradation of microplastics
Summary
Researchers created magnetic nanocellulose sponges embedding iron oxide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles to capture and photodegrade microplastics from water. The hydrophobic sponges showed high adsorption capacity for polystyrene microplastics and could be magnetically recovered and regenerated.
The pervasive presence and detrimental impact of microplastics (μPs) on the ecosystem necessitates the development of effective remediation strategies. As potential adsorbents for μPs, we present a strategy utilizing metal oxide nanoparticles and cellulose nanomaterials. A nanocellulosic matrix was prepared by processing microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) and (2,2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl (TEMPO)-oxidized cellulose nanofibers (T-CNF). Magnetic nanocellulose sponges (NCs) embedding FeO-TiO nanoparticles into this matrix were prepared using a simple freeze-drying technique. The prepared NCs were modified with hexadecylphosphonic acid (HPA) to utilize its self-assembling behavior with metal oxide nanoparticles in capturing μPs. Surface wettability characteristics revealed the hydrophobic nature of the HPA-modified sponges, with water contact angles exceeding 100°. Polystyrene (PS), a widely used plastic commodity, was chosen as the representative μPs. The adsorption studies on μPs demonstrated a removal efficiency of up to 98 % for PS-NH and 75 % for PS-COH by the optimized sponge. Notably, the NCs exhibited photodegradation of μPs under UV irradiation due to TiO nanoparticles embedded in cellulose matrix. The efficient adsorption capacity combined with remarkable attributes such as easy recovery, recyclability, and biocompatibility of these HPA-functionalized magnetic NCs showcases their potential as a sustainable solution for μPs remediation.
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