Research Projects

Plastic pollution poses a significant threat to life and the environment due to the persistent loading of fragmented plastic at micro- or nano scales and their propagation at water surfaces. Current strategies include physical filtration, chemical flocculation, and micro or nano robot-compelling technology, but these have issues such as selectivity, poor recyclability, biocompatibility, limited scalability, and spreading secondary pollution. Biopolymers, such as bacterial exopolysaccharides (EPs), are considered sustainable materials due to their non-toxicity, biocompatibility, and bio-degradability. EPs suffers from poor seperability, stability, and recyclability, making it unsuitable for film formation. To improve film properties and adhesive properties, EPs or Fe3O4 particles should be mixed with another biopolymer, and a modified alginate or dopamine complex should be employed to enhance adhesive characteristics and immobilize enzymes. The ultimate film device should be robust and flexible enough for controllable release of immobilized enzymes like lipase or cutinase, which degrade polycaprolactone and polyethylene terypthalate. A magnetically enabled enzyme loaded film from bio-based polymers can be constructed for directed removal of micro- or nanoplastic and degradation.