Professor Nicky Eshtiaghi, the lead researcher, claimed that although current techniques could take days to remove microplastics from water, his low-cost, environmentally friendly technology produces better results in just one hour.
The team claims to have created powdered adsorbents that can remove microplastics 1,000 times smaller than those that wastewater treatment facilities currently detect.
The idea to remove microplastics from waterways has been successfully tested by the researchers in the lab, and they intend to collaborate with businesses to further improve it.
The research results are published in the Chemical Engineering Journal.
Eshtiaghi from the School of Engineering stated, “The nano-pillar structure we’ve created to remove this pollution, which is impossible to see but incredibly hazardous to the environment, is recycled from garbage and may be utilised several times.”
“This is a big win for the environment and the circular economy.”
How does this innovation work?
To draw microplastics and dissolved contaminants into water, the researchers have created an adsorbent employing nanomaterials.
The nanoparticles’ iron content, according to the first author and Ph.D. candidate from the School of Engineering Muhammad Haris, allowed the team to quickly remove the microplastics and contaminants from the water using magnets.
“This whole process takes one hour, compared to other inventions taking days,” he said.
According to co-lead researcher Dr. Nasir Mahmood, the nano-pillar-shaped material was made to attract microplastics without generating more pollutants or carbon footprints.
According to Mahmood from the School of Science, “The adsorbent is created with unique surface qualities such that it may effectively and simultaneously remove both microplastics and dissolved contaminants from water.”
Because traditional treatment systems cannot identify or remove microplastics smaller than 5 millimeters, which can take up to 450 years to disintegrate, millions of tonnes are dumped into the sea each year.
This has detrimental effects on human health and is destructive to aquatic life.
The team received scientific and technical support from the Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility and the Micro Nano Research Facility, part of RMIT’s newly expanded Advanced Manufacturing Precinct, to complete their research.
What are the next steps?
It was crucial, according to Eshtiaghi, to find a means to address these serious problems that microplastics had brought about.
We can remove microplastics that are 1,000 times smaller than those that are now detectable by wastewater treatment plants, according to our powder additive, she claimed.
We need business partners to help us advance our idea to the point where we can consider using it in wastewater treatment facilities.
To optimize sludge pumping systems, Eshtiaghi and her colleagues have collaborated with numerous water utilities across Australia, including Melbourne Water and Water Corporation in Perth.
Source: RMIT University
