This project aims to break new ground in the development of efficient trategies for microplastics (MP) remediation in order to boost challenging applications that integrate separation and degration technologies. On the one hand, the project aims to exploit the potential advantages of functionalized magnetic particles (FMP) as smart materials for the sequestration of MP from wastewater. On the other hand, the proposal takes advantages of the benefits of magnetic photocatalysts (MPC) as advanced oxidation agents able to promote the degradation of MP. The incorporation of magnetic properties on the separation and degradation materials, facilitates their subsequent separation from aqueous media by the application of magnetic fields. Therefore, the first challenge will address the synthesis, characterization and application of FMP and MPC to perform the separation and degradation of MP from aqueous strems; the second challenge will consider the recovery of the magnetic separation and degradation agents using magnetic gradients. Thus, the main outcome of the project is to provide the tools for the design of integrated processes that combines advanced separation and oxidation technologies based on the use of magnetic materials easily recovered by external magnetic fields.

Research team