A novel nanoplastic removal method based on solar interface evaporation technology

The widespread presence of nanoplastics in water environment has become a prominent threat to human health, and it is urgent to develop low-carbon and efficient nanoplastic removal methods. In this work, a novel nanoplastic removal method based on solar interface evaporation technology was successfully developed. The solar interface evaporator was constructed by modifying the surface of sorghum straw with polypyrrole, which exhibited satisfactory evaporation rate (2.946 kg center dot m- 2 center dot h- 1) with a solar steam conversion efficiency up to 95.4%. The proposed evaporator was successfully applied to the removal of nanoplastics obtained from take-out lunch boxes, mineral water bottles and plastic bags. The device also showed potential application in seawater desalination and sewage treatment. The water transport and heat transfer during the evaporation process were simulated by finite element simulation. This work sheds new light on nanoplastic removal and expands the application of solar interface evaporation techniques.