Details
| Originalsprache | Englisch |
|---|---|
| Aufsatznummer | 6707 |
| Seitenumfang | 13 |
| Fachzeitschrift | Nature Communications |
| Jahrgang | 16 |
| Ausgabenummer | 1 |
| Frühes Online-Datum | 21 Juli 2025 |
| Publikationsstatus | Veröffentlicht - Dez. 2025 |
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.
ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete
- Chemie (insg.)
- Allgemeine Chemie
- Biochemie, Genetik und Molekularbiologie (insg.)
- Allgemeine Biochemie, Genetik und Molekularbiologie
- Physik und Astronomie (insg.)
- Allgemeine Physik und Astronomie
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in: Nature Communications, Jahrgang 16, Nr. 1, 6707, 12.2025.
Publikation: Beitrag in Fachzeitschrift › Artikel › Forschung › Peer-Review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - A self-regulating shuttle for autonomous seek and destroy of microplastics from wastewater
AU - Kollofrath, Dennis
AU - Kuhlmann, Florian
AU - Requardt, Sebastian
AU - Krysiak, Yaşar
AU - Polarz, Sebastian
N1 - All analytical measurements were performed in the central analytical facility cfMATCH. We thank Jakob Schlenkrich (Institute of physical chemistry and electrochemistry, LUH Hannover) for providing his expertise in the solar simulator setup. Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2025.
PY - 2025/12
Y1 - 2025/12
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105011147611&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1038/s41467-025-61899-4
DO - 10.1038/s41467-025-61899-4
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:105011147611
VL - 16
JO - Nature Communications
JF - Nature Communications
SN - 2041-1723
IS - 1
M1 - 6707
ER -