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Trapping and detecting nanoplastics by MXene-derived oxide microrobots
Mario Urso1, Martina Ussia1, Filip Novotný1,2
1Future Energy and Innovation Laboratory, Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Purkyňova 123, 61200, Brno, Czech Republic.
Nature Communications
|June 22, 2022
Summary
New microrobots capture and detect nanoplastics in water. These fuel-free, light-powered robots use magnetic collection for efficient removal and electrochemical sensing, enabling on-site screening and remediation of nanoplastic pollution.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Nanoplastic pollution is a growing environmental concern due to the pervasive nature and potential hazards of tiny plastic fragments.
- Effective methods for quantifying and removing nanoplastics from wastewater are urgently needed.
- Current detection and removal strategies often lack efficiency and scalability for nanoscale pollutants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop multifunctional microrobots capable of capturing nanoplastics in three-dimensional space.
- To enable on-the-fly detection and magnetic collection of nanoplastics from water.
- To establish a proof-of-concept for on-site screening and remediation of nanoplastic contamination.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of MXene-derived microrobots (γ-Fe₂O₃/Pt/TiO₂) via thermal annealing and material deposition.
- Utilizing light-induced phototaxis for fuel-free, six-degrees-of-freedom motion of the microrobots.
- Employing programmable Zeta potential for electrostatic attraction and trapping of nanoplastics.
- Magnetic collection of trapped nanoplastics and electrochemical detection using portable electrodes.
Main Results:
- The synthesized γ-Fe₂O₃/Pt/TiO₂ microrobots demonstrated efficient, light-driven self-propulsion.
- Microrobots successfully attracted and captured nanoplastics on their surfaces and within structural crevices.
- The platforms enabled sensitive electrochemical detection of captured nanoplastics.
- Magnetic collection facilitated easy separation and recovery of the nanoplastic-microrobot complexes.
Conclusions:
- Multifunctional MXene-derived microrobots offer a novel approach for the 'on-the-fly' capture and detection of nanoplastics.
- The fuel-free propulsion and programmable surface chemistry enable efficient nanoplastic preconcentration and collection.
- This technology presents a promising pathway for developing portable systems for real-time environmental monitoring and remediation of nanoplastics.
