Pharmaceutical residues can be removed from effluent using pine bark.
Now, a Singapore-based research team is looking to pomegranate peel to remove 4-nitrophenol from water. The toxin is used when producing dyes, pesticides and analgesics.
The pomegranate peel is converted to biochar at 600° before being ground to nanoparticles through ultrasound treatment. The particles’ surface attracts the nitrophenol, which accumulates in its pores.
The method requires less energy than carbon-based filter materials and no chemical activating agents. In lab tests, 94% of nitrophenol was removed from water inside 90 minutes.
Following cleaning with sodium hydroxide, the nanoparticles were still 85% effective on their third use. Next step: tests with industrial wastewater.
Pomegranate peel also keeps fungal contamination at bay.
