Carbon-Cellulose Hybrid Materials for Microplastics Removal: Adsorption Mechanisms, Structure-Function Relationships,...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are persistent contaminants in wastewater, posing challenges for conventional treatment due to their size and ability to carry co-contaminants.
• Existing wastewater treatment technologies often fail to effectively remove smaller plastic particles, necessitating novel materials and strategies for microplastic remediation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically analyze and compare recent advances in carbon-based, cellulose-based, and hybrid carbon-cellulose composites for microplastic removal from wastewater.
• To elucidate the structure-function relationships and key mechanisms governing the adsorption performance of these materials.
• To identify current challenges and propose future research directions for effective microplastic remediation.

Main Methods:

• Review and comparative analysis of recent scientific literature on carbon-based, cellulose-based, and hybrid materials for microplastic adsorption.
• Systematic discussion of adsorption mechanisms, including hydrophobic interactions, π-π stacking, hydrogen bonding, electrostatic attraction, and physical entrapment.
• Evaluation of structure-property relationships, focusing on porosity, surface chemistry, and interfacial interactions.

Main Results:

• Carbon-cellulose composites exhibit promising multifunctional adsorption capabilities due to synergistic hydrophilic and hydrophobic domains, enabling efficient removal of diverse microplastics.
• Magnetic and superhydrophobic modifications enhance separation efficiency, recyclability, and applicability in real wastewater scenarios.
• Key adsorption mechanisms involve a combination of physical and chemical interactions tailored by material design.

Conclusions:

• Hybrid carbon-cellulose composites represent a promising class of adsorbents for microplastic remediation, offering dual functionality and broad applicability.
• Significant challenges remain, including the need for standardized evaluation methods, validation under real conditions, and scalability.
• Future research should focus on rational material design, sustainable sourcing, multifunctional systems, and integration into existing wastewater treatment infrastructure to achieve SDG 6.