New Method Removes 98% of Nanoplastics from Water

Researchers at the University of Missouri are tackling the challenge of nanoplastics, which are tiny particles much smaller than a human hair and invisible to the naked eye. These nanoplastics are accumulating in water bodies worldwide and are linked to serious cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

To address this problem, the team at Mizzou has developed a new liquid-based solution that effectively removes over 98% of these microscopic plastic particles from water. This breakthrough is detailed in their study published in the journal ACS Applied Engineering Materials.

Piyuni Ishtaweera, who led the research while completing her Ph.D. in nano and materials chemistry at Mizzou, explained, “Nanoplastics can disrupt aquatic ecosystems and enter the food chain, posing risks to both wildlife and humans. We're finding better ways to remove these contaminants from water.”

The innovative approach involves water-repelling solvents derived from natural ingredients. This method not only addresses the issue of nanoplastic pollution but also advances research in water purification technologies.

The process uses a small amount of specialized solvent to extract plastic particles from a large volume of water. The solvent, which floats on the water's surface like oil, collects the nanoplastics and can be separated and reused. Future research will focus on understanding the solvent's maximum capacity and developing methods for its recycling.

This new technique has been shown to work effectively in both freshwater and saltwater, and the solvents used are safe and non-toxic, preventing further contamination. Ishtaweera noted that this method could lead to significant improvements in filtration technologies and inform environmental policies.

The Mizzou team tested various sizes of polystyrene-based nanoplastics, commonly found in Styrofoam cups, and their results surpassed previous studies that focused on single-sized plastic particles.