# Efficient removal of nanoplastics from synthetic wastewater using electrocoagulation

**Authors:** Vishal Singh Pawak, Vijay A. Loganathan, Manigandan Sabapathy  
**arXiv:** [2302.08451](https://arxiv.org/abs/2302.08451)  
**Date:** 2023-02-16  
**Summary page:** https://www.summarizepaper.com/en/paper/2302.08451v1/

## Key points

- Nanoplastics are a global environmental concern due to their potential harm to human health and the environment.
- Bisphenol and perfluoro alkylates adsorbing on micro and nanoplastics can enter the food chain through various routes, including wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs).
- Researchers investigated the removal of nanoplastics from synthetic wastewater using an electrocoagulation process.
- Aluminum electrodes were used in parallel combination at low voltage conditions for electrocoagulation (EC), with polystyrene nanoparticles as nanoplastics synthesized from expanded polystyrene waste (EPS).
- Various process parameters such as electrode spacing, salt concentration, and applied voltage's influence on removing nanoplastics were studied.
- Maximum removal efficiency of over 95% could be achieved at a specific electrolyte concentration and pH of 7.2 +/- 0.3.
- Gas bubbles released during EC enabled removal from the top by scraping them off.
- Electrocoagulation can efficiently remove nanoplastic pollutants from synthetic wastewater while providing valuable insights into optimizing process parameters for effective removal.
- This research could pave the way for developing more effective and sustainable methods to mitigate the growing threat of nanoplastics in our environment.

## Summary

Nanoplastics have become a global environmental concern due to their potential to cause irreversible damage to human health and the environment. Bisphenol and perfluoro alkylates adsorbing on micro and nanoplastics can enter the food chain through various routes, one of which is wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). To address this issue, researchers investigated the removal of nanoplastics from synthetic wastewater using an electrocoagulation process. The team employed aluminum electrodes in parallel combination at low voltage conditions for electrocoagulation (EC) and used polystyrene nanoparticles as nanoplastics synthesized from expanded polystyrene waste (EPS). They studied various process parameters such as electrode spacing, salt concentration, and applied voltage's influence on removing nanoplastics. Results showed that maximum removal efficiency of over 95% could be achieved at a specific electrolyte concentration and pH of 7.2 +/- 0.3. Additionally, gas bubbles released during EC enabled removal from the top by scraping them off. This research highlights how electrocoagulation can efficiently remove nanoplastic pollutants from synthetic wastewater while providing valuable insights into optimizing process parameters for effective removal. It could pave the way for developing more effective and sustainable methods to mitigate the growing threat of nanoplastics in our environment.