High-Surface-Area Adsorbent for Nanoplastics Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods are inefficient and impractical for removing nanoplastics, particularly those smaller than 100 nm, which can pass through filters and pose health risks.
Innovation Solution
A nanoplastics removal method using an adsorbent with a specific surface area of 700 m²/g or larger, moving or passing through liquid, and having a hydrophobicity to efficiently adsorb nanoplastics with average diameters of 100 nm or smaller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a normal filter is used to remove plastic particles, then microplastics can be removed, but nanoplastics cannot be removed at all or can be removed at poor efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs activated carbon as a porous adsorbent material with specific surface area of 500 m²/g or more. The porous structure provides extensive surface area for adsorption, enabling effective capture of nanoplastics that pass through conventional filters. The pore size distribution and surface properties of the activated carbon are optimized to adsorb nanoplastics while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies critical parameters for the adsorbent including specific surface area (500 m²/g or more), pH range (3-11), and particle size distribution. By controlling these parameters, the adsorbent achieves optimal performance for nanoplastics removal. The method also controls contact time and adsorbent dosage as key parameters to ensure efficient removal.
2Manufacturing precision
If activated carbon is used as adsorbent for nanoplastics removal, then nanoplastics can be adsorbed, but the process requires an extremely long time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the specific surface area parameter to 500 m²/g or more, which significantly increases the available adsorption sites. This parameter change accelerates the adsorption kinetics, reducing the time required for effective nanoplastics removal while maintaining high adsorption capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The adsorbent is pre-treated to ensure optimal surface properties and pore structure before use. This preliminary preparation includes controlling the pH range (3-11) and ensuring the specific surface area meets the minimum requirement, which facilitates faster adsorption kinetics when the adsorbent contacts nanoplastics-containing water.
3Quantity of substance
If an adsorbent with high specific surface area is used to adsorb nanoplastics, then adsorption capacity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs activated carbon, a relatively inexpensive and readily available material, as the adsorbent. The system is designed to be simple and practical, potentially allowing for periodic replacement of the adsorbent rather than complex regeneration systems. This approach prioritizes simplicity and cost-effectiveness while achieving the required adsorption capacity through optimized material properties.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method achieves efficient and practical removal of nanoplastics, ensuring high affinity and mechanical stability while maintaining a high adsorption capacity.
Implementation Method 1
adsorbing nanoplastics by a moving adsorbent, wherein an average particle diameter D50 of the nanoplastics is 100 nm or smaller, and a specific surface area of the adsorbent is 700 m 2/g or larger
Data Source
AI summary
An aspect of the present invention relates to a nanoplastics removal method including adsorbing nanoplastics by a moving adsorbent as defined in the present invention, wherein an average particle diameter D50 of the nanoplastics is 100 nm or smaller, and a specific surface area of the adsorbent is 700 m2/g or larger.