Mucin-inspired thermogels for programmable nanoplastic removal in water purification

Verfasst von

Florian Tondock, David Nash, Deborah Lückermann, Julius Ruhe, Jörn Droste, Marie Weinhart

Abstract

Plastic pollution represents a threat to global ecosystems, as fragmentation generates nanoplastics (NPs) that pose ecotoxicological risks. Their nanoscale size and low concentrations make detection and removal from water challenging. Inspired by jellyfish mucus, we develop amphiphilic bottlebrush copolymers based on oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate (OEGA). These polymers self-assemble into micelles and exhibit a reversible, temperature-induced sol-gel-syneresis transition, capturing NPs from solution in situ . Heating triggers hydrogel collapse via terminal OEGA-methoxy groups, enriching hydrophobic NPs within the matrix. Using fluorophore-labeled polystyrene NPs (20–1,000 nm), we achieve removal efficiencies of 68%–100%; activated carbon further improves performance. Pre-collapsed hydrogels enable passive filtration, capturing >70% within 24 h. Cooling dissolves the matrix and releases captured NPs, achieving recovery efficiencies of up to 61% after ultracentrifugation for trace analysis. Ionic groups enable selective dye capture, underscoring the system’s versatility as a modular, programmable platform for next-generation water purification technologies.

Details

Organisationseinheit(en): Institut für Physikalische Chemie und Elektrochemie
Institut für Organische Chemie
AG Polymere und Biomaterialien
Externe Organisation(en): Freie Universität Berlin (FU Berlin)
Typ: Artikel
Journal: Cell Reports Physical Science
Band: 7
Publikationsdatum: 20.05.2026
Publikationsstatus: Veröffentlicht
Peer-reviewed: Ja
ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete: Allgemeine Chemie, Allgemeine Materialwissenschaften, Allgemeiner Maschinenbau, Allgemeine Energie, Allgemeine Physik und Astronomie, Umweltwissenschaften (insg.)
Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung: SDG 6 - Sauberes Wasser und sanitäre Einrichtungen, SDG 3 - Gute Gesundheit und Wohlergehen, SDG 9 - Industrie, Innovation und Infrastruktur, SDG 14 - Lebensraum Wasser
Elektronische Version(en): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrp.2026.103257 (Zugang: Offen )