An international team of researchers has figured out how to remove heavy metals from water by creating a polymer inspired by phytochelatine
In just an hour, the experiment removed heavy metals from the water
Access to clean drinking water is a fundamental requirement, but pollution makes this human right a privilege for a few. To help improve the situation, an international team has studied how to remove heavy metals from the water using a process that simulates nature.
The work is published in Nature Communications, and the team involves scientists from the universities of Kyoto, Osaka, and Heidelberg. Scientists were inspired by phytochelatin, a protein found in plants. It is known for its ability to bind specifically to heavy metal ions and transport them inside secure cell compartments. This natural mechanism has led researchers to create a new polymer to purify water from toxic metals such as cadmium.
The synthesized polymer, containing carboxylated and thiolated groups, has been applied to silica balls and cellulose membranes. Then, it was used in a continuous flow system, allowing contaminated water to be passed through. The result was remarkable: In one hour, the polymer effectively removed cadmium ions, bringing water quality to a potable level.
The method is not only highly specific to heavy metal ions, but also avoids the removal of healthy ions. These include magnesium and calcium. In addition, the polymer also showed considerable affinity for mercury ions, suggesting a possible effectiveness in removing other heavy metals.
According to Motomu Tanaka, senior author of the study, “it is not surprising that plants have developed such a sophisticated mechanism during evolution. However, we are thrilled that our plant-inspired polymer surpasses what plant proteins can do.”
The researchers’ results represent a step forward in the challenge of removing heavy metals from the water. They offer a more efficient and targeted solution for the removal of toxic contaminants and open up new possibilities for universal access to clean water.
