Journal
NANOMATERIALS
Volume 12, Issue 14, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/nano12142348
Keywords
iron oxide nanoparticles; hydrophobicity; hydrophobic coatings; separation science; interparticle interactions; nanoplastics; microplastics; plastic pollution; water remediation; amphiphilic polymer; PDMS; polydimethylsiloxane nanocomposite; aminopropylsiloxane
Categories
Funding
- Texas A&M University Corpus Christi Innovation Seed Grant
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Nanoplastic pollution poses a threat to humans and ecosystems. Researchers have found that iron oxide nanoparticles with hydrophobic coatings can be used to successfully isolate and separate nanoplastic particles from water samples.
Nanoplastic pollution is increasing worldwide and poses a threat to humans, animals, and ecological systems. High-throughput, reliable methods for the isolation and separation of NMPs from drinking water, wastewater, or environmental bodies of water are of interest. We investigated iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) with hydrophobic coatings to magnetize plastic particulate waste for removal. We produced and tested IONPs synthesized using air-free conditions and in atmospheric air, coated with several polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based hydrophobic coatings. Particles were characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometry, dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and zeta potential. The IONPs synthesized in air contained a higher percentage of the magnetic spinel phase and stronger magnetization. Binding and recovery of NMPs from both salt and freshwater samples was demonstrated. Specifically, we were able to remove 100% of particles in a range of sizes, from 2-5 mm, and nearly 90% of nanoplastic particles with a size range from 100 nm to 1000 nm using a simple 2-inch permanent NdFeB magnet. Magnetization of NMPs using IONPs is a viable method for separation from water samples for quantification, characterization, and purification and remediation of water.
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