Innovative Nanotech Sponge Captures Pollutants and Recovers Valuable Materials

A new sponge technology absorbs pollutants and releases them for reuse, offering a cost-effective way to clean waterways and recover resources.

• Proven Cleanup Power – The sponge extracts oil, phosphate, and metals from polluted water.
• Sustainable Resource Recovery – It captures valuable minerals while remaining reusable.
• Significant Pollution Reduction – Contamination levels drop from 0.8 parts per million to undetectable amounts.

A Smarter Solution for Water Pollution

With rising water contamination from agricultural runoff and industrial waste, researchers seek better ways to remove harmful substances like phosphate, copper, and zinc. Existing methods can be expensive and single-use, but scientists at Northwestern University developed a reusable sponge coated with nanoparticles that attract pollutants.

This sponge captures metals, phosphate, and even microplastics and oil. By adjusting pH levels, it releases collected materials, enabling resource recovery rather than disposal. Researchers tailored the technology to target pollutants in Chicago’s waterways, refining methods to selectively remove contaminants.

“The sponge can act as a universal sorbent or be customized for specific contaminants,” explains principal investigator Vinayak Dravid. The technology evolved from an oil-absorbing polyurethane sponge to a hydrophilic cellulose version designed for a wider range of pollutants. Its porous structure maximizes surface area for pollutant attachment, making it highly efficient.

Recovering Valuable Minerals

As natural reserves of phosphate and metals dwindle, reclaiming these minerals becomes essential. Ph.D. researcher Kelly Matuszewski discovered that lowering pH releases metals like copper and zinc, while raising it extracts phosphate. Even after five cycles, the sponge maintained its effectiveness, delivering water with undetectable pollutant levels.

A partnership with stormwater treatment company StormTrap, LLC is accelerating real-world testing. The next phase will evaluate how much contamination the sponge can handle and explore broader applications for cleaner waterways.

Read Original Article: Scitechdaily

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