A groundbreaking sponge made from a fusion of cotton fibres and squid bone-derived chitin could provide a scalable solution to the world’s microplastic pollution crisis. Researchers from the University of Wuhan and Guangxi University have developed this sustainable material, which can remove up to 99.8% of microplastic particles from water samples.

This innovative material, termed “Ct-Cel biomass foam,” combines cellulose from cotton and chitin, a biopolymer that forms part of squid skeletons. Both cellulose and chitin are abundant, biocompatible, and cost-effective, offering a sustainable alternative for tackling microplastics in aquatic environments.

Tackling Microplastics with Biomaterials
Microplastics, plastic particles smaller than 5 millimetres, have infiltrated ecosystems globally, threatening marine life, human health, and biodiversity. They bind with other pollutants, making their removal critical. However, few technologies exist for efficiently filtering microplastics, particularly those smaller than 10 micrometres.

The researchers’ sponge works by combining the molecular structures of cellulose and chitin to form a fibrous, porous network capable of capturing microplastics through physical interception, electrostatic attraction, and molecular interactions. Unlike traditional methods, this material achieves high efficacy without requiring complex manufacturing processes or expensive raw materials.

Simple, Scalable Production Process
The production process for the sponge is remarkably straightforward and uses readily available equipment, making it practical for large-scale deployment. Chitin is first processed in a weak acetic acid solution and blended using a high-speed homogeniser. Cotton, on the other hand, is stirred in a soy milk machine to extract cellulose. These two compounds are then mixed, moulded, and frozen to create the sponge.

Testing has shown the material’s versatility and durability. In real-world scenarios, including agricultural irrigation sites, lakes, and coastal waters, the sponge consistently removed 98–99.8% of microplastics during initial use. Even after five reuses, it maintained an impressive 95% removal rate, making it an economically and environmentally viable solution.

Applications for Design and Industry
The implications of this innovation extend across design and industrial applications. In addition to cleaning natural water sources, the sponge could be integrated into washing machines and dishwashers to filter microplastics at the source. Factory wastewater systems and industrial-scale water treatment facilities could also benefit from this sustainable technology, aligning with global efforts to adopt circular and biobased material solutions.

For designers and architects working with sustainable systems, the development of such scalable, biodegradable materials opens possibilities for implementing pollution-mitigation tools into urban infrastructure. Landscapes, coastal regeneration projects, and eco-friendly product design could all benefit from incorporating this technology.

Moving Towards a Cleaner Future
Microplastics are a pressing issue, with particles detected in human brains, blood, and digestive systems. As researchers continue to develop sustainable solutions, innovations like the Ct-Cel sponge offer hope for mitigating their impact.

This sponge’s biocompatibility, low-cost production, and scalability make it a promising candidate for widespread use, helping industries and households reduce microplastic pollution and protect aquatic ecosystems.

Source: Dezeen
Photo: MechaOwl