Projects / Programmes
Degradation of textile microplastic for domestic wastewater treatment
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.04.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Materials science and technology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T153 |
Technological sciences |
Ceramic materials and powders |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.05 |
Engineering and Technology |
Materials engineering |
microplastic, ZnO, TiO2, photocatalytic degradation, microbial degradation
Researchers (20)
Organisations (4)
Abstract
Plastic is a widespread pollutant throughout the world and is currently present even in things we digest. This research considers small microscopic debris called microplastics, which are found in sediments, salt, organisms, and are through water and food, consumed every day. Microplastic was discovered only after several years of research and based on the findings we can divide it into two groups. While the secondary one comes from the decomposition of plastic bags, bottles, etc., primary microplastic, as the most abound type, comes mostly from synthetic textile, through its washing. Unfortunately, filters, which are applied, are difficult to clean, maintain and are less efficient for smaller debris. It is unlikely thus, that such collectors will find a wide-scale adoption. We propose to address this challenge by developing better means of in-situ microplastic degradation and breakage using photocatalytic or photoelectrocatalytic reactions at the source of contamination – in the appliance itself.
Within the scope of the proposed project we plane to join groups from the field of material science (Department for Nanostructured Materials, Institute Jožef Stefan), water management, policy and pollution (Institute for Water of the Republic of Slovenia), microbiological expertise (Chair of Molecular Genetics and Biology of Microorganisms, Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty UL) and industry (R&D Competence Centre Laundry Care, Gorenje Group d.d), which will also cofund the work. We would like to follow their policy, with the aim, to reduce the release of microplastic from their future domestic and industrial washing machines. The primary objective of the proposed research is to evaluate to what extent the microplastic fibers, released from common washing machines, can be degraded into harmless and ecologically unproblematic waste release.
Significance for science
Degradation of pollutants to harmless, possibly even useful substances, represents a very attractive field, which has only recently been investigated by the research community, and a comprehensive understanding of the subject can only now be realized through modern hardware, computational power, and methods. We expect that within five years the research currently performed within groups specialized in environmental and technical science will expand to more fundamental fields including chemistry and physics.
Our aim is to contribute to this emerging field with innovative investigations into plastic debris emerging from waste water and their degradation to less problematic materials. Techniques implemented within the scope of the research are subdivided into individual research units and work package. Although protocols for identifying and quantifying the microplastics are already set, there are many unanswered questions regarding shape, surface chemistry, accurate composition and similar, which will be important for furthering understanding and addressing emerging challenges. By implementing difficult analytical techniques, we will answer some of these questions and newly important factors influencing the rate of degradation. Research in the field of catalytic material is already under way. Here we showed how TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles, with different morphologies, influence the decomposition of dyes and we showed, how they can be used for other catalytic reaction. Although the implementation to plastic decomposition is straightforward several experiments will have to be performed to optimize the decomposition. By monitoring this work we will establish new paths and develop new techniques, also to other catalytic based research. We will publish fundamental findings in high impact journals and present them in scientific conferences for widespread adoption.
Significance for the country
It is easy to imagine that similar solution which we propose within the scope of the project will eventually have to be integrated into the waste water treatment, or polymer-based textiles will have to be banned from production. This application-based research was planned together with Gorenje Group, which is one of the leading European manufacturers of household appliances. It targets the development of a prototype with the whole purpose of integrating a working device into manufacture. Although passive filters have been developed, there are virtually no active technologies that sufficiently target very small microplastic particles and the construction of such device is thus very appealing. The smaller the particle is, the more likely it will be decomposed with the proposed catalytic based solution. This research will thus open another possibility of integrating our device together with filters for more complete results. The research on degradation of microplastic conducted together with a company that produces washing machines will itself raise interest and hopefully result in further funding for product completion and market testing.
Washing machine waste water is the number one domestic microplastic emitter and any reduction of the release will have a beneficial impact on the environment. Moreover, the Gorenje d.d. envisions such application as an integrated part of their broader sewage water management. In this cleaning system, they have estimated that water can be used in nine to ten successions, until it is used in agriculture. Here the research we propose also directly addresses the issue, since within the scope of the project we also aim to optimize the characterization of pollutant present. We believe that together with Gorenje we can offer such solutions, offering new jobs, and new innovations for Europe.
Most important scientific results
Interim report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Interim report
