Cornell Scientists Develop Reusable Nanofiber Filter for Sustainable Water Purification

Breakthrough in Water Filtration Technology

Scientists at Cornell University have developed an innovative nanofiber membrane that can effectively filter hazardous micropollutants from water while being both reusable and biodegradable, according to their recently published research. The breakthrough material, fabricated through electrospinning technology, reportedly removes approximately 90% of triclosan and other concerning contaminants from water samples.

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Advanced Filtration Through Nanofiber Engineering

The research team, led by fiber science associate professor Tamer Uyar, created an ultra-thin fibrous membrane using cyclodextrin, a cornstarch derivative. Sources indicate that the electrospinning process produces fibers measuring less than 1 micron in diameter – significantly thinner than a human hair – which provides high surface area and exceptional adsorption capabilities.

“The electrospinning produces a very thin fiber, less than 1 micron in diameter, which gives us high surface area and excellent adsorption,” said Mahmoud Aboelkheir, doctoral student in human centered design and lead author of the work, according to the research publication.

Combatting Dangerous Water Contaminants

Triclosan, the primary target of the new filtration technology, represents a significant environmental threat despite being banned in consumer hand and body washes in the United States. Analysis suggests the antimicrobial chemical continues to appear in many personal care products and enters waterways through wastewater, where it poses dangers to aquatic life and has been linked to endocrine disruption and allergic reactions in humans.

Laboratory testing demonstrated the membrane removed approximately 75% of triclosan from water within the first 15 minutes of exposure, with saturation reaching around 88% after six hours. Researchers confirmed these findings using rotating frame Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy at Cornell’s NMR Facilities., according to industry reports

Real-World Testing and Multiple Applications

The team reportedly validated their technology using water samples from multiple sources, including Flat Rock, groundwater wells, and local wastewater treatment plants. “This was an actual test of our membrane, in realistic environments where it could be used, and it still had efficiency in the removal of these micropollutants,” Aboelkheir stated in the research documentation.

Beyond triclosan removal, the nanofibrous cyclodextrin membrane effectively filtered other concerning contaminants including ciprofloxacin (an antibiotic) and oxybenzone (a common sunscreen component), suggesting broad application potential for water purification systems.

Sustainable Advantages Over Traditional Methods

Unlike conventional powdered adsorbents that require significant energy for regeneration, the cyclodextrin membrane can be easily restored through simple washing, making it both reusable and economically viable. The biodegradable nature of cyclodextrin, derived from renewable cornstarch, offers additional environmental benefits compared to traditional filtration materials like activated carbon or silica.

Professor Uyar emphasized the structural innovation, noting that “our cyclodextrin membrane is a fiber material, so it can be used as a membrane without a support structure.” This represents a significant advancement over previous technologies that required incorporating cyclodextrin into supporting polymers.

Future Development and Expanded Applications

Ongoing research in Uyar’s laboratory reportedly focuses on developing advanced versions of the nanofibrous membrane designed to capture textile dyes, volatile organic compounds, and persistent pollutants including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals.”

The research, titled “Removal of Pharmaceutical Micropollutants From Aqueous Environment by Electrospun Polycyclodextrin Nanofibrous Membrane,” appears in the scientific journal Separation and Purification Technology, representing what analysts suggest could be a transformative approach to sustainable water purification technology.

References

• https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1383586625042558
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanofiber
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triclosan
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuse
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiber
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filtration

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