A new development in environmental technology offers a promising avenue for combatting the pervasive issue of plastic pollution. Researchers at the University of Waterloo have unveiled a novel method capable of removing harmful nanoplastics from contaminated water sources. 

Removing Nanoplastics in Water

Plastic pollution has emerged as a pressing global challenge, eliciting widespread concern due to its adverse effects on the environment and human well-being. 

It has been found that the impact of nanoplastics, material that is a thousand times smaller than microplastics, has a significant detrimental effect on aquatic and human life. These tiny pollutants can also infiltrate human cells, which is hard to detect, posing a greater health risk compared to microplastics. 

Led by Professor Tizazu Mekonnen, a distinguished expert in polymer engineering, the research team embarked on a mission to devise a solution to the pervasive problem of nanoplastic contamination in wastewater systems.

Their approach harnesses waste epoxy, a non-recyclable polymer commonly destined for landfills or water networks, as a crucial component in creating activated carbon.

"Rationally designed plastics not only can be part of the solution to reduce climate change but can have a positive impact in economic development and create jobs," Mekonnen said in a statement.

"This technology has the potential to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the plastics industry," he added.

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Thermal Decomposition

Through a process known as thermal decomposition, the researchers transformed epoxy into activated carbon, a highly porous material that effectively traps nanoplastics. 

This activated carbon was then deployed to treat water contaminated with nanoplastics derived from prevalent plastic sources such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), commonly found in plastic bottles and clothing.

The team noted that the efficacy of this method lies in its capacity to physically capture nanoplastics within the porous structure of the waste epoxy, resulting in a remarkable removal efficiency of 94%. 

"To end the plastic waste crisis and reduce the environmental impact of plastics production, we need to implement a circular economy approach that considers every stage of the plastic journey," Mekonnen said in the statement. 

Looking ahead, the research team aims to expand the application of their technology to encompass other types of plastics and explore opportunities for scale-up testing in municipal wastewater treatment facilities. 

Municipal wastewater often harbors diverse contaminants, presenting additional hurdles that this innovative method seeks to surmount. The study's abstract provides further insight into the research methodology and outcomes, detailing the development of optimized activated carbon with a high surface area and yield. 

Through chemical activation with potassium hydroxide (KOH), the researchers achieved significant enhancements in nanoplastic adsorption, laying the groundwork for future advancements in pollution remediation strategies.

While further optimization of the conversion process and enhancements in nanoplastic recovery rates are necessary, the University of Waterloo's research represents a significant stride in the ongoing battle against plastic pollution.  

The findings of the research team were published in Separation and Purification Technology. 

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