A Green Solution for Microplastic Degradation: Harnessing the 3D-NiCo-LDH@MIL-88 Electrocatalyst for Sustainable Water Treatment

• Grant number: 24/15427-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: June 01, 2025
• End date: May 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Sanitary Engineering - Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment
• Principal Investigator: Artur de Jesus Motheo
• Grantee: Azam Pirkarami
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/12895-1 - Advanced processes for the degradation of emerging pollutants: catalytic materials, electroanalytical sensors and scientific dissemination, AP.TEM

Abstract

The presence of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) in water supply systems poses a significant risk to human health, as they can be easily ingested and potentially cause serious harm. Therefore, it is crucial to develop an environmentally friendly and effective solution to mitigate this problem. The use of nanostructured materials in electrochemistry has led to improved electrolytic treatment methods for environmental protection, as well as advanced detection capabilities in electroanalysis. This area of research has received significant attention, especially in the context of electrochemical treatment for environmental applications, driven by the rapid development of graphene and other 2D materials over the past decade. In this research, a new material will be created by combining nickel-cobalt layered double hydroxide (NiCo-LDH) with a metal-organic framework (MIL-88) to form a hybrid electrocatalyst (NiCo-LDH@MIL-88). This material will then be used to decompose microplastics (MPs) through an electrocatalytic process. The study will focus on the degradation of two common types of plastics, polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene (PE). In addition, this project aims to synthesize and characterize the three-dimensional hybrid electrocatalyst NiCo-LDH@MIL-88, which will be developed and synthesized using low-grade carbon (LGC) as a support. The study also examines the impact of key factors (such as plastics properties, current density, and electrolytes) on the electrochemical detection and removal of MPs and NPs. This study will result in a green, economical, and effective strategy for controlling MPs and NPs in water.