A self-regulating shuttle for autonomous seek and destroy of microplastics from wastewater
Abstract Microplastics pose a significant environmental challenge, causing harm to organisms through inflammation and oxidative stress. Although traditional adsorbents effectively capture pollutants, they are limited by their localized action and require laborious recycling processes. We introduce a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61899-4 |
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| author | Dennis Kollofrath Florian Kuhlmann Sebastian Requardt Yaşar Krysiak Sebastian Polarz |
| author_facet | Dennis Kollofrath Florian Kuhlmann Sebastian Requardt Yaşar Krysiak Sebastian Polarz |
| author_sort | Dennis Kollofrath |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Microplastics pose a significant environmental challenge, causing harm to organisms through inflammation and oxidative stress. Although traditional adsorbents effectively capture pollutants, they are limited by their localized action and require laborious recycling processes. We introduce a buoyancy-driven hybrid hydrogel that functions as a self-regulating shuttle, capable of transporting and decomposing contaminants without external intervention. By leveraging thermally switchable buoyancy, the material cyclically ascends from the seabed to the water surface, facilitating pollutant degradation, before descending to restart the process. This motion is enabled by vinyl-functionalized porous organosilica and thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAM), which allow for reversible gas bubble storage and precise control over ascent and descent dynamics. As a demonstration, we apply this platform to microplastic decomposition, where light-induced reactive oxygen species effectively degrade collected particles. Adjustments to catalyst concentration further optimize transport kinetics, enhancing efficiency across various conditions. While microplastic remediation showcases its capabilities, this shuttle represents a broadly adaptable system for sustainable pollutant removal and environmental remediation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e26feef831cd40dbb81f91c15b87cf16 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2041-1723 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nature Communications |
| spelling | doaj-art-e26feef831cd40dbb81f91c15b87cf162025-08-20T03:05:09ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-07-0116111310.1038/s41467-025-61899-4A self-regulating shuttle for autonomous seek and destroy of microplastics from wastewaterDennis Kollofrath0Florian Kuhlmann1Sebastian Requardt2Yaşar Krysiak3Sebastian Polarz4Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Leibniz Universität HannoverInstitute of Inorganic Chemistry, Leibniz Universität HannoverInstitute of Inorganic Chemistry, Leibniz Universität HannoverInstitute of Inorganic Chemistry, Leibniz Universität HannoverInstitute of Inorganic Chemistry, Leibniz Universität HannoverAbstract Microplastics pose a significant environmental challenge, causing harm to organisms through inflammation and oxidative stress. Although traditional adsorbents effectively capture pollutants, they are limited by their localized action and require laborious recycling processes. We introduce a buoyancy-driven hybrid hydrogel that functions as a self-regulating shuttle, capable of transporting and decomposing contaminants without external intervention. By leveraging thermally switchable buoyancy, the material cyclically ascends from the seabed to the water surface, facilitating pollutant degradation, before descending to restart the process. This motion is enabled by vinyl-functionalized porous organosilica and thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAM), which allow for reversible gas bubble storage and precise control over ascent and descent dynamics. As a demonstration, we apply this platform to microplastic decomposition, where light-induced reactive oxygen species effectively degrade collected particles. Adjustments to catalyst concentration further optimize transport kinetics, enhancing efficiency across various conditions. While microplastic remediation showcases its capabilities, this shuttle represents a broadly adaptable system for sustainable pollutant removal and environmental remediation.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61899-4 |
| spellingShingle | Dennis Kollofrath Florian Kuhlmann Sebastian Requardt Yaşar Krysiak Sebastian Polarz A self-regulating shuttle for autonomous seek and destroy of microplastics from wastewater Nature Communications |
| title | A self-regulating shuttle for autonomous seek and destroy of microplastics from wastewater |
| title_full | A self-regulating shuttle for autonomous seek and destroy of microplastics from wastewater |
| title_fullStr | A self-regulating shuttle for autonomous seek and destroy of microplastics from wastewater |
| title_full_unstemmed | A self-regulating shuttle for autonomous seek and destroy of microplastics from wastewater |
| title_short | A self-regulating shuttle for autonomous seek and destroy of microplastics from wastewater |
| title_sort | self regulating shuttle for autonomous seek and destroy of microplastics from wastewater |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61899-4 |
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