Successfully manufactured cheap material to remove 99.8% of microplastics from water

This invention offers a new and sustainable solution to the global microplastic pollution problem.

Chinese scientists have successfully developed a type of sponge that can remove up to 99.8% of microplastics mixed in water .

Microplastics are small particles that break down from plastic pollution sources, posing a threat to human health and ecosystems (Photo: Getty).

This groundbreaking research opens up a cost-effective solution to tackle pollution from plastic particles that are known to be harmful to human health.

Low-cost sponge technology based on two sustainable biomasses, chitin and cellulose, is used as adsorbents.

Initially, scientists extracted chitin from squid, and cellulose from cotton fibers. These two substances were combined to form a material called Ct-Cel, with the ability to remove microplastics from water.

According to a publication in the journal Science Advances, the material successfully removed 89.9-99.8% of polystyrene from water in samples of varying concentrations.

The method also proved effective in extracting other types of microplastics, such as polymethyl methacrylate, polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate.

Notably, the material's ability to capture microplastics was largely unaffected by the presence of common catalysts, such as heavy metals, microorganisms, or organic contaminants.

According to research, there are currently 6.3 billion tons of polymer waste worldwide. Of which, only approximately 9% of plastic waste can be recycled (Photo: SCMP).

In their tests, the researchers demonstrated the effectiveness of the sponge on different types of water samples, from agricultural irrigation water, lake water, domestic tap water, and coastal water.

According to the researchers, this invention offers a new and sustainable solution to the problem of microplastic pollution, as the material can be recycled and retains more than 95% of its absorption capacity after multiple uses.

Microplastics are small particles that break down from sources of plastic pollution, such as plastic bottles, food and medical utensils, and clothing made from synthetic fibers.

Today, microplastics are widely found in cosmetics, food, and drinking water. They penetrate organs in the body, and have even been found in the human brain.

The concern is that people can ingest/inhale them without realizing it, leading to a variety of health risks, including increased cancer rates, poor fetal development, and lower fertility.