Researchers at VTT, a non-profit research centre based in Finland, claim to have developed a method that uses nanocellulose to detect microplastics before they enter waterways.
According to VTT, the properties of nanocellulose films and hydrogels support the identification and capture of very small microplastic particles.
“Nanocellulose has a mesh-like, porous structure and a large surface area. In the water, powerful capillary forces are generated in this structure, allowing particles to be transported inside the mesh and bound there,” says VTT Research Professor Tekla Tammelin.
This new method reportedly provides a way to catch microplastic particles of a size that the human eye cannot detect, often with a diameter of only 100 nanometres.
“Nanocellulose structures can be used to identify and analyse these particles and to obtain information about their behaviour at an earlier stage. We can determine the concentration of particles in water and analyse, for example, whether particles are released into drinking water from plastic bottles,” continues Tammelin.
The identification of microplastic particles with nanocellulose structures has been developed at VTT as a part of the FinnCERES flagship project, which is exploring new bio-based material solutions. VTT says that the next step could be to develop new and inexpensive filtration solutions utilising the method.
“New filtration solutions would allow particles to be captured where they are generated. The solutions could be utilised, for example, in laundry, where microplastic particles are released from fleece clothing and other synthetic fibres. Similarly, we could develop filtration methods for any industry where there is a risk of microplastics being generated and released into waterways,” concludes Professor Tammelin.
