Self-driven magnetorobots for recyclable and scalable micro/nanoplastic removal from nonmarine waters

• DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade1731
• Publication Date: 2022-11-09T19:00:34Z
• Authors: Wanyuan Li; Changjin Wu; Ze Xiong; Chaowei Liang; Ziyi Li; Baiyao Liu; Qinyi Cao; Jizhuang Wang; Jinyao Tang; Dan Li
• Keywords: Ion-exchange resin; Nanorobotics

Micro/nanoplastic (MNP) contamination in nonmarine waters has evolved into a notable ecotoxicological threat to the global ecosystem. However, existing strategies for MNP removal are typically limited chemical flocculation or physical filtering that often fails decontaminate plastic particulates with ultrasmall sizes ultralow concentrations. Here, we report self-driven magnetorobot comprising magnetizable ion-exchange resin sphere can be used dynamically remove separate MNPs from waters. As result of long-range electrophoretic attraction established by recyclable resin, shows sustainable efficiency >90% over 100 treatment cycles, verified broad applicability varying compositions, sizes, and shapes as well water samples. Our work may facilitate industry-scale affordable cost minimal secondary pollution suggests an appealing strategy based on self-propelled micro/nanorobots sample assess nanoplastics aqueous environment.