Researchers Create Magnetic Nanoparticles For Sustainable Water Solutions

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal (IISER) have achieved a significant breakthrough by creating magnetic nanoparticles with a multitude of practical applications. These minuscule particles, about one hundred thousand times smaller than a human hair, have been tailored for various uses, including desalination, dye removal and de-icing processes.

The need for accessible freshwater sources is a pressing global concern, especially as two-thirds of the world's population is expected to face water scarcity in the near future. Traditional desalination methods, such as distillation and reverse osmosis, demand high heat and energy consumption, making them expensive and inefficient. To address this, the researchers have developed a sustainable alternative – photothermal-assisted desalination that harnesses solar energy.

Dr Sankar Chakma, Assistant Professor at IISER Bhopal, led the research and emphasised the effectiveness of their magnetic nanoparticles in photothermal desalination. These nanoparticles enhance the evaporation rate of water by improving mass transfer through a porous medium.

The researchers employed porous magnetic carbon materials, known for their unique interaction with light waves, making them ideal for photothermal applications. The increased porosity provides additional pathways for light waves to be absorbed, making the process more efficient.

Notably, the team's innovative method for creating these nanoparticles was inspired by traditional Indian earthen lamps. By saturating cotton with nickel salt and mustard oil and igniting it, they produced the specialised magnetic porous carbon nanoparticles. These nanoparticles demonstrated remarkable performance in photothermal desalination of seawater, dye removal from effluent and de-icing applications.