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Breakthrough innovation: MIT develops nature-inspired filtration material capable of eliminating persistent chemicals from water, bringing a sustainable solution to purification
Researchers of MIT have developed a new filtering material based on natural silk and cellulose, capable of removing contaminants, including so-called “eternal chemicals” and heavy metals, from water. This innovation It is a promising solution to the growing problem of water contamination by chemical compounds, which are widely used in modern technology and found in many consumer products.
“Forever chemicals,” also known as PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances), are notoriously difficult to remove from the environment. They are found in products such as cosmetics, food packaging, water-resistant clothing, fire-fighting foams and nonstick coatings.
A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control EUA revealed that 98% of people tested had detectable levels of PFAS in their blood, posing a growing public health concern.
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According to Benedetto Marelli, professor of civil and environmental engineering at MIT, and Yilin Zhang, postdoctoral fellow and lead author of the study published in the journal DHW Nano, the new material offers a nature-based solution, using silk proteins and cellulose, two natural and sustainable components.
The initial technology that led to the development of this filtration material was initially designed to combat seed counterfeiting, but eventually evolved into an application in water treatment.
The Growing Problem of Forever Chemicals
Recent studies have shown that PFAS chemicals are contaminating thousands of sites across the US, and the US Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the cost of removing PFAS from drinking water could be as high as $1,5 billion per year.
Current solutions for removing PFAS are limited, often ineffective or too expensive. Zhang explains that because of this limitation, developing a solution based on natural materials such as silk and cellulose has significant potential to be more cost-effective and sustainable.
Development of the hybrid material began with the creation of silk nanofibrils, an environmentally benign process at room temperature where silk proteins were processed into small, uniform crystals.
However, initial attempts using these nanofibrils alone were not effective in removing contaminants. The team then added cellulose, a widely available substance, to improve the material's effectiveness.
The union of silk and cellulose
The combination of cellulose and silk was key to the success of the filtration material. Cellulose, which can be obtained from agricultural wood pulp waste, was used to create nanocrystals that served as “seeds” for organizing the silk molecules. This made it possible to form a hybrid material with improved properties, both for removing contaminants and for resisting fouling, a major problem with current filtration membranes.
One of the most important discoveries was that cellulose gave the material antimicrobial properties, which prevents the formation of bacterial and fungal biofilms, which are responsible for the degradation of filtration membranes over time. This antimicrobial characteristic can significantly extend the useful life of filters, reducing costs and increasing the efficiency of the purification process.
Promising performance and next steps
In laboratory tests, the new filtration material was shown to be significantly more effective than commonly used activated carbon filters. It was able to remove orders of magnitude more contaminants from water, such as metal ions and persistent chemicals, outperforming traditional materials in several metrics.
Despite being a proof of concept, the researchers are optimistic about the potential to scale up production of this material for broader uses, including large-scale filtration systems for cities and water supply systems. However, there are challenges to overcome, such as the durability of the material and the availability of silk proteins in sufficient quantities to meet global demand. Marelli mentions that silk can be obtained as a byproduct of the textile industry, but he is also exploring protein alternatives that could perform the same role at a lower cost.
Potential applications
Initially, the team hopes to use the material in small household filters, such as those attached to kitchen faucets. However, Zhang sees the possibility of scaling it up to larger systems, such as municipal water supplies, as long as testing ensures there is no risk of introducing contamination into the water supply.
One advantage of this new material is that both silk and cellulose are food-safe, making the risk of contamination virtually non-existent. This puts it in an advantageous position compared to other filtration methods that use synthetic materials, which can potentially release harmful chemicals during the purification process.
With the growing need for effective and sustainable water treatment solutions, the filtration material developed by MIT is a promising innovation. Combining silk and cellulose, both abundant and inexpensive materials, it not only offers an efficient way to remove harmful contaminants from water, but could also outperform current options in terms of durability and environmental impact. If scaled up for mass production, this new material could transform the way we approach water purification in the future.
