Entry to the Stockholm Junior Water Prize 2023

A Novel Magnetic System with Carbon

Nanotubes to Remove Microplastics from
Water

Ayse Pelin DEDELER

Türkiye
 Biography

Ayse Pelin Dedeler is a senior at Izmir Cakabey Schools and an incoming freshman at Stanford University. She is
interested in how STEM can contribute to solving global challenges, particularly interested in the areas of sustainability
and physics. In her free time, she hikes, builds Lego, and reads the latest articles on physics. Ayse Pelin is very
interested in academia, having already published 2 articles.
As an advocate for the environment, Ayse Pelin has been invited to speak on environmental issues and promote
sustainability at prominent conferences and panels throughout her high school career. She delivered a talk on the
environment at the Union of Municipalities of Turkey Science Congress and spoke on “The Effect of Microplastics on
Global Warming” at The National Polar Sciences Symposium.
In addition to her speaking engagements, Ayse Pelin played a formative role in organizing the CakaMUN (Model
United Nations) conference on the theme of ”Climate Action” as Deputy Director General. She has also served as
President of the Student Council, organizing environmental awareness events, and was the Editor of the School’s
Newspaper— which was distributed online in order to reduce paper waste.
Growing up by the shore, Ayse Pelin developed a profound love for marine life. During the Covid-19 pandemic,
she began a daily coastal cleanup routine. However, she soon realized that to make the cleanup efforts truly effective,
she needed to address the presence of microplastics that couldn’t be removed by hand. After a field trip to a water
treatment facility, where she discovered that traditional filters were also not effective in removing microplastics from
water, she then determined to develop a novel solution to microplastic pollution. Using magnetic technology to remove
microplastics from water, she has attended many science fairs including Regeneron ISEF. After 3 years of improving
her project, Ayse Pelin is now excited to be entering the Stockholm Junior Water Prize.

Acknowledgment

I would like to acknowledge all who have contributed to the development of this project. Their support has been
essential to the project’s successful completion. I would like to thank Prof. Dr. Yavuz Öztürk for providing me access
to the laboratory at Ege University, which enabled me to initiate this project. I would also like to extend my gratitude
to Prof. Dr. Can Erkey from Koç University for their mentorship and provision of resources, particularly in conducting
spectroscopic measurements. I also want to thank the robotics club at my school for providing me the tools I needed
to construct the machine prototype. Last but not least, I want to thank my family for supporting me and allowing me
transform my room into a mini lab. The accomplishments of the project were greatly influenced by everyone who
provided me with feedback and gave support.
Contents
1 Abstract 3

2 Introduction 4
2.1 Microplastics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.2 Why Magnetic Removal? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

3 Material and Method 5

3.1 Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3.2 Obtaining Microplastics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3.3 Magnetite (Fe3 O4 ) Synthesis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3.4 Magnetic Carbon Nanotubes
(M-CNT) Synthesis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.5 Calculation of the Final MPs Concentration and Removal Efficiency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.6 Microplastic Removal Experiments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.7 Magnetic Water Treatment Machine Design to Remove Microplastics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

4 Results and Discussion 8

4.1 Structural and Characterstic
Analysis of MPs and M-CNTs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4.1.1 XRD Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4.1.2 FTIR Anlysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4.1.3 SEM Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4.2 Removing Microplastics
from Water with M-CNT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4.3 Spectral Analyses of MP
Removal Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.3.1 Absorbance Graph and Beer-Lambert Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.3.2 M-CNT Adsorbed MP Bulk Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.4 Recovery of M-CNTs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4.5 Magnetic Microplastic Removal Machine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

5 Applications & Recommendations 14

6 Conclusion 14

2
 1 Abstract

Microplastic pollution due to inadequate water treatment has become an emerging issue, posing a global threat to ma-
rine life. Effective and eco-friendly removal solutions of microplastics (MPs) are urgently required. This study aims to
develop a magnetic removal method that utilizes nano-adsorbents to capture MPs and remove them from the water via
magnetic force. Magnetic carbon nanotubes(M-CNT) which intended to adhere to the surfaces of MPs were achieved
by synthesizing multi-walled carbon nanotubes with magnetite (Fe3 O4 ) nanoparticles. Due to the strong hydrophobic
properties of carbon nanotubes M-CNTs successfully adhere to the surfaces of MPs. Numerous experimental parame-
ters affecting MPs adsorption by M-CNTs were tested, including amount of adsorbent, contact time, salinity of water,
and MP polymer type. The polymers included in this experiment (PET, HDPE, LDPE) were chosen based on the
plastic varieties that generate the most waste globally. The obtained M-CNT material was added to beakers contain-
ing artificial seawater where the M-CNT material adsorbed on MPs and the composites were separated from aqueous
solutions using neodymium magnets. The subsequent UV/VIS spectrometer findings of cleansed water samples are
used for Beer-Lambert Law calculations which later demonstrated a 98% success rate for MPs removal. By thermal
treatment at 35°C and washed with considerably low amount of EtOH, M-CNTs can be cleaned of MPs and once again
be utilized in MP removal from the water. For real-life applications of M-CNT, a magnetic machine is designed with
3D printing and Lego parts. The machine’s magnetic field can be turned on and off by realigning diametrically magne-
tized disc magnets with servo motors and the NXT brick. This attains the dual goals of moving M-CNTs through the
machine and continuously removing microplastics from water. Hence, a novel approach for removing microplastics
with unique nanomaterials from aqueous environments has been proposed.

Keywords: Microplastics, Magnetic Carbon Nanotubes, Switchable Magnetic Technology

Figure 1: Graphical Abstract

List of abbreviations: Microplastics (MPs), Carbon Nanotubes (CNT), Magnetic Carbon Nanotube (M-CNT),
High-density polyethylene (HDPE), Low density polyethylene (LDPE), Polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

3
2 Introduction In this project it is aimed to produce magnetic nano-
materials that are effective and sustainable for capturing
microplastics, as well as a magnetic microplastic removal
2.1 Microplastics machine for cleaning microplastics from environmental
”Microplastics” defined as plastics with a diameter of less water sources.
than 5 mm that are formed through the breakdown of macro-
plastics or generated by abrasive usage in industry, are
an emerging environmental problem [1]. The number of 2.2 Why Magnetic Removal?
plastics in the ocean offshores nowadays has been calcu- Water treatment has a key role in maintaining the quality
lated around 5.25 trillion pieces and 92% of these plas- of our water supply. The need for new, effective pollutant
tics are below 5 mm [2]. Microplastics can enter water removal methods has become vital as there is inadequate
bodies, including oceans, lakes, rivers, and even drink- access to clean water, with water scarcity occurring glob-
ing water. Microplastics can enter water bodies via var- ally [7]. Traditional methods such as filters, coagulation,
ious ways, such as inadequate waste management, acci- and flocculation have been widely used in water treatment
dental spills, and incorrect disposal of plastic-based prod- processes. But the traditional methods have their short-
ucts (Figure 2). Colorless and transparent plastics or mi- comings. For example, filters are time-consuming, often
croplastics found in water resources can turn into a serious get clogged, and are expensive. Also, absorbent losses
hazard as invisible garbage [3]. happen in filters. Whereas coagulation and flocculation re-
quire the use of hazardous chemicals, such as coagulants
or flocculants, which can introduce additional pollutants
or pose risks to the ecosystem if not properly managed.
In the past decade, with the emergence of nanotechnology
and nanomaterials research, we have been able to develop
nano-adsorbent materials for capturing pollutants such as
heavy metals and dyes [8]. The magnetic removal pro-
cess with magnetic nano-adsorbents is a promising alter-
native, offering several distinct advantages over conven-
tional techniques [9]. Compared to filters, in the mag-
netic removal process, there are no adsorbents lost, and
it’s faster, easier, and cheaper. In contrast to coagulation
and flocculation, in the magnetic removal method, there
are no chemicals left in the water because the adsorbent is
being collected with magnets. And because the material is
collected, it can be reused in the water treatment process
after sent for recovery. This provides a sustainable and
eco-friendly water treatment solution.
Figure 2: Schematic diagram of how sources of micro
plastics mix into the aquatic environment [4].

The need for disposable masks, gloves, and disinfec-

tant bottles which has increased with the COVID-19 pan-
demic, exacerbates the existing plastic problem and thus,
affects the environment. The plastic materials that have
been used during the pandemic now reached the seas. While
the degradation of a disposable mask in the water ecosys-
tem takes an average of 450 years like all plastic types,
it will never decompose, but turn into microplastics [5].
The increasing amount of microplastics in water bodies
has raised concerns not only due to their possible negative
impact on aquatic ecosystems but also on human health. Figure 3: Limitations of current microplastic removal sys-
Microplastics can enter the food chain, and now they have tems.
been found in the human blood and respiratory system [6].

4
3 Material and Method 3.2 Obtaining Microplastics
To be used in the experiments, secondary type microplas-
3.1 Materials tics were obtained by sanding disposable plastic covers
containing PET, HDPE, and PP (Figure 4). Primary type
The chemicals used in the study include:
microplastics were obtained from facial cleansing prod-
• Carbon Nanotubes: ucts containing microbeads. To extract MPs, the product
was first dispersed in water and then, transferred into a
– Type: COOH functional multi-walled carbon syringe and filtered on a 20-µm membrane several times.
nanotubes (Nanograph, Turkey)
• Ferric Chloride Hexa-hydrate:
– Chemical Formula: FeCl3·6H2O
– Purity: Aldrich 97
• Ferrous Chloride Tetra-hydrate:
– Chemical Formula: FeCl2·4H2O
– Purity: Aldrich 98
• Ammonium Chloride:
– Chemical Formula: NH4OH
Figure 4: Different types of secondary microplastics ob-
– Purity: Aldrich 28–30
tained with sandpaper.
• Ethanol
• Distilled Water

The analytical methods employed for the analysis of

M-CNTs and the characterization of M-CNTs-adsorbed
MPs are as follows:

• X-ray Diffraction (XRD) Analysis:

– Instrument: BRUKER D2 PHASER diffrac-
tometer
Figure 5: The schematic representation of how the mi-
• Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM): crobeads obtained from cosmetics.
– Instrument: ZEISS EVO LS15
– Accelerating voltage: 3.00 kV
3.3 Magnetite (Fe3 O4 ) Synthesis
• Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR):
A solution of ferric chloride 0.0125 M was added to a fer-
– Instrument: Thermo Scientific iS10 FT-IR rous chloride solution 0.0125 M and a solution 1 M of
ammonium hydroxide. 50 ml of ammonium chloride was
• Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy (UV-Vis):
added to volume of 200 ml of deionizated water in a bot-
– Instrument: SHIMADZU UV-3600 - UV-VIS- tom round flask, and the mixture was stirred for 10 min
IR at 800 rpm. Afterwards, 10 ml of ferrous chloride 0.0125
M and 20 ml of ferric chloride 0.0125 M were added; im-
These analytical methods were utilized to investigate mediately a black precipitate appeared, which aged for 10
various aspects of M-CNTs, including their crystal struc- minutes and later filtered. Poured in a petri dish particles
ture (XRD), morphology (SEM), chemical composition dried at 45o C for 4 hours [10].
(FTIR), concentration (UV-Vis). The combination of these
techniques provides valuable insights into the properties
and behavior of M-CNTs and their interaction with ad-
sorbed microplastics (MPs).

5
3.4 Magnetic Carbon Nanotubes where:
(M-CNT) Synthesis α is absorption coefficient, λ is the wavelength
Magnetically feature carbon nanotubes (M-CNT) were syn- k is extinction coefficient
thesized using Fe3 O4 nanoparticles with ferromagnetic char-
acteristics, and (COOH) functionalized carbon nanotubes • The microplastic removal efficieny (%) is calculated
(CNT-COOH). Because the M-CNT material will be used according to the following equation, where C0 is the initial
in water treatment process, the synthesize procedure was concentration of MPs:
aimed to be performed as simple as possible. Co − C1
In a solution of 40 mL deionized water and ethanol RemovalEf f iciency(%) = × 100 (4)
Co
(1:1, volume ratio), Fe3 O4 nanoparticles (50 mg) and CNT-
COOH (200 mg) were dispersed. The mixture was ultra-
sonicated for 1 hour and then shaken for 12 hours at room
3.6 Microplastic Removal Experiments
temperature. Particles were dried at 50°C for 16 hours The magnetic microplastic removal method steps can be
[11]. seen in figure 7. M-CNTs are added to to contamined
water, and after M-CNTs are adsorbed by MPs they are
removed by sweeping a magnet inside a glass tube. In or-
der to observe the effects of various conditions on removal
process, different test groups were prepared. First of all,
to determine the effect of salinity on the removal pro-
cess, two groups of mediums are prepared: distilled water
and simulated seawater. Simulated seawater contains 35g
NaCl and 1L deionized water, which was prepared accord-
ing to a previous study [12]. In seperate petri dishes of 40
Figure 6: Schematic Illustration of the Procedure for the mL water and simulated seawater, 10mg MP and 10mg
Preparation of M-CNT M-CNT is added to both. Later the studies continued in
simulated seawater environment. To test M-CNTs ability
to be adsorbed by different types of microplastics PET 01
HDPE 02 are weighted in balance 20mg are added into
3.5 Calculation of the Final MPs Con- 40mL simulated seawater environment. For determining
centration and Removal Efficiencythe optimal ratio of M-CNTs to be adsorbed by MPs a
constant rate of 10 mg MP/ 40mL simulated seawater in
UV/VIS spectrophotometer is used to record the spectra petri dishes are prepared and respective amounts of 2.5, 5,
of cleaned water samples. Beer-Lambert Law was one of 10, 15, 20 mg of M-CNTs are added. MPs in each of the
the methods that has been used in this project to show the test environments were removed by mixing with the help
successful removal of MPs. of a glass tube that contains a neodimyum magnet inside
it (Figure 7).
A = εlc (1)
where:
A is amount of light absorbed
ε is the molar absorbance coefficient, which varies with
wavelength, but not with concentration
ℓ is the thickness of the sample
c is the concentration of the absorbing species
• Extinction coefficient of MPs are calculated using the
following equations;
2.303 × A Figure 7: Schematic representation of M-CNT addition
α= (2)
l and magnetic removal from aqueous suspension contain-
αλ ing microplastics.
k= (3)
4π

6
3.7 Magnetic Water Treatment Machine Design to Remove Microplastics
The attraction force that switchable magnets produce is correlated with their ”flux” field. The steel piece surrounding
the magnets is altered to prevent this attraction force from affecting the exterior. The pole locations can be changed by
180-degree rotation of the neodymium magnet. As a result, the magnetic field from one magnet passes into the other
magnet after passing through the steel wall. As seen in Figure 8, this enables the switching of the magnet’s ”flux” field
as desired. Main principle is that the steel compartment’s outside cannot be affected by the changed ”flux” field in any
way. This means that the magnet can be activated and deactivated when necessary, ensuring that its magnetic influence
is contained within the compartment [13] [14].

Figure 8: Working principle of magnets of which magnetic feature can be opened and closed. [15]

Figure 9: AutoCAD illustration of the proposed water treatment system.

Steps of the magnetic water cleaning machine (figure 9) to remove MPs are:

• Take the incoming polluted water into the compartment

• Add M-CNTs into the MP contaminated water
• Activate the first magnet’s magnetic field.
• Activate the second magnet’s magnetic field, creating a pumping effect between two magnets thus increasing
M-CNTs interaction with MPs
• Lift magnets up from the water on the y-axis, removing MP adsorbed M-CNT carriers
• Release the cleaned water from the compartment
• Deactivate the magswitches’ magnetic fields; which will drop the MCNTs adsorbed MPs on the extraction tray.
• Send MCNTs adsorbed MPs for recovery

7
4 Results and Discussion
4.1 Structural and Characterstic
Analysis of MPs and M-CNTs
4.1.1 XRD Analysis
M-CNT was structurally characterized using spectro-
scopic approach and evidence. Phase and crystalline
structure of cubic Fe3 O4 and M-CNTs were confirmed
by XRD measurement. XRD model was used to deter-
mine the coating of magnetic Fe3 O4 particles on CNTs,
Fe3 O4 2θ = 30.3°, 35.0° [16] was checked to show the Figure 11: The FTIR fingerprint peaks of the M-CNT.
characteristic diffraction peaks. The peak taken at 2θ
= 35.3° indicated the presence of Fe3 O4 . In the XRD
model, 2θ = 26.5° characteristic peak of M-CNTs was
detected which confirmed that the nanostructure of CNTs
were well preserved during the magnetic synthesis [17].

Figure 12: FTIR fingerprint peaks of HDPE MPs

Figure 10: XRD pattern of the M-CNTs.

4.1.2 FTIR Anlysis

An average of 50 scans were collected for each spec-
trum measurement at FTIR. As can be seen in figure 11
fingerprint peaks of M-CNTs were determined as 2360°
and 1510°. Also, the FTIR spectra of M-CNTs showed
band at 1683 cm-1 indicating clear mode of C=O vibra-
Figure 13: FTIR fingerprint peaks of PET MPs
tion of the carboxyl group (COOH) [18]. After show-
ing the characteristics of M-CNTs, the spectra of high-
density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyethylene tereph- 4.1.3 SEM Analysis
thalate (PET) microplastics were taken in FTIR, the vi-
bration frequencies of various bonds in the molecules Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) has been used to
were measured, and information about the functional investigate the morphology of the prepared M-CNT ma-
groups in the molecule was obtained. Fingerprint peaks terials. Figure 14 & 15 shows the SEM images of the
of HDPE plastic were determined as 2915° and 2850° M-CNT. According to Figure 14 Fe3 O4 clusters are at-
(Figure 12). tached to the CNTs surfaces. The diameter size of M-
CNT is determined to be between 11 and 13nm.

8
 Table 1: Experimental Groups
M-CNT MP
Water
Amount Amount
(mL)
(mg) (mg)
Base - - 40
Control - 10 40
Ex.1 2.5 10 40
Ex.2 5 10 40
Ex.3 10 10 40
Ex.4 15 10 40
Ex. 5 20 10 40

MPs increased.
Figure 14: SEM image of M-CNT The water cleaned with 20 mg of M-CNT had a 1.2±
98% transmission rate on average. The optimal ratio of
M-CNTs to MPs is determined as 2:1. The transmission
measurements of the water cleaned by optimal ratio of
M-CNTs to MPs can be seen in Figure 18.

Figure 15: Structure and morphology of the M-CNT.

4.2 Removing Microplastics

from Water with M-CNT Figure 16: Transmittance spectrum of the samples
The experiments were carried out in 40 mL of artificial cleaned with diffrent ratio of M-CNT to MPs.
seawater in petri dishes. A base clean water is prepared
to be used as reference for later comparison, and a con-
trol group with no M-CNT treatment is prepared with 10
mg of MPs. For MPs removal experimental groups, the
following quantities (in mg) of M-CNT are used: 2.5,
5, 10, 15, and 20. The effect of quantity of M-CNTs on
MP removal is investigated.
UV/VIS spectrophotometer was used to record the
spectra of cleaned water samples in the range of 300–1000
cm-1, and the baseline (Io) is set as artificial seawater.
In Figure 16 The dark blue line at the bottom is the con-
trol group, being non-treated MP polluted water sample.
And the grey line at the top in 100% transmission rate
is the base sample— non polluted artificial seawater.
As demonstrated in Figure 17, the removal efficiency of Figure 17: Absorbance spectrums recorded at different
MPs improved as the ratio of MCNTs utilized to clean times at MPs Removal Process

9
Figure 18: Transmittance spectrum of clean water Figure 20: Absorbance graph of MPs removal process
(baseline), polluted water and the samples cleaned with of samples cleaned with diffrent ratios of M-CNTs.
optimal ratio of M-CNT to MPs.

4.3.2 M-CNT Adsorbed MP Bulk Analysis

4.3 Spectral Analyses of MP Previous FTIR analyses, as shown in Figure 12, pro-
Removal Process vided the vibration frequencies for HDPE MPs at 2915°
and 2850°, and for M-CNTs at 2360° and 1510°, as de-
4.3.1 Absorbance Graph and Beer-Lambert Law picted in Figure 11. Subsequently, after the M-CNTs
In order to perform Beer-Lambert Law calculations, the were utilized for the MP removal process, a solid sam-
molar extinction coefficient must be known. The molar ple of M-CNTs with adsorbed MPs was subjected to
extinction coefficient of HDPE MPs used in this project FTIR analysis within the wavelength range of 4000nm-
was experimentally determined and graphed according 650nm. The acquired spectra in Figure 21 revealed the
to the Equations 4 and 2 utilizing HDPE absorbance val- presence of peaks corresponding to both M-CNTs and
ues recorded at FT-IR. Molar extinction coefficient is HDPE, indicating the successful adsorption of MPs onto
greater where the absorption is more intense therefore M-CNTs and the occurrence of temporary dipole inter-
peak at 825 nm (ϵ = 289.09) is selected to calculate the actions.
Beer Lambert law. Utilizing the Equation 4 concentra-
tion of MPs before removal and after removal has been
calcultated. Subsequently, utilizing Equation 4 the re-
moval efficiency of MPs has been found as 98% suc-
cessful.

Figure 21: M-CNT adsorbed MPs FTIR spectrum

Figure 19: The molar extinction coefficient (ϵ of HDPE

MPs used in this experiment.

10
4.4 Recovery of M-CNTs
For the M-CNT material to be reused in removing microplastics from water, it has to be recovered from MPs. First,
the magnetic force was removed and the M-CNT-adsorbed MPs were placed on a glass slide (Figure 22), and their
image was recorded with a microscope (Figure 24.a). It can be seen in the bulk that MPs are dominantly present. The
bulk waited at room temperature for 5 minutes thus hydrophobic interactions among the MPs and M-CNTs decreased
because they were outside of the water. A magnet in a glass tube is passes through the slide (Figure 23), while
attracting the M-CNTs, the microplastics remained on the slide. The M-CNT material was collected by the magnet and
was examined under the microscope (24.b). In figure it was observed that even in dry conditions the M-CNT material
was still adsorbed on some microplastics. To recover M-CNTs the material is dried for 10 minutes in an oven heated to
35°C. Afterward, the particles were washed one round with 20 ml of ethanol and examined under the microscope again
(Figure 24.c). Ethanol was preffered due to being known as a polar medium and the MP, M-CNT interaction was based
on non-polar, hydrophobic interactions. It was observed that the M-CNT material was recovered from microplastics
and could be reused to clean polluted water.

Figure 22: M-CNT adsorbed MPs bulk on a glass slide.

Figure 23: M-CNTs are being separeted from MPs after the removal procces to be recovered

Figure 24: Microscope image of: a) M-CNT adsorbed MPs bulk b) M-CNT after being separated from MPs with
magnetic force c) M-CNT after recovery.

11
4.5 Magnetic Microplastic Removal Machine
For real-life applications of the synthesized M-CNTs, a magnetic water-treatment machine was build. For the mi-
croplastic polluted water be cleaned by M-CNTs, the magnets within the machine must be actively controlled. The
machine will contain: 2 switchable magnets, a robotic system to move these magnets in and out of the water, a water
pump, 3D designed & printed body, and a M-CNT extraction tray. The robotic mechanism is built to activate and
deactivate the magnetic field of neodymium magnets, by rotating the magnets’ handlebars and switching the disc mag-
nets inside it. For this purpose, the motor’s activation sequence is programmed to complete the MPs removal process.
The NXT block is used as the brain of the LEGO®-built system. NXT is a computer-controlled LEGO brick with
programmable, intelligent decision-making features [19]. The pseudo code plan can be seen in Figure 25.b.

Figure 25: a) The magnetic microplastic removal machine. b) Pseudo code of machine’s internal mechanism.

The motor’s activation sequence is programmed to complete the MPs removal process (Figure 26). For controlling
the interactive servo motors, the NXT contains three output ports designated A, B, and C. The A and B motors are
utilized to rotate the primary cogwheels that are fixed to the magnets, with the C motor performing the y-axis movement
and carrying both magnets in and out of water.

Figure 26: The written codes in NXT brick to programme the machine.

First, the magnetic fields of both magnets are deactivated, and the M-CNT material is added to the incoming MPs-

12
contaminated water. Later, magnet no. 1 is engaged, attracting the MPs that have been bonded to the surfaces of
the M-CNTs. Following that, the field of magnet no. 1 is deactivated, and the field of magnet no. 2 is engaged,
causing a pumping effect through the machine. This mobility also enables the M-CNTs to interact with MPs and
collect additional MPs from the water. Finally, both magnets are engaged, and the entire system moves up along
the y-axis, removing M-CNTs adsorbed MPs from water. The water has now been cleaned and released from the
compartment.When the magnets are held still in the positive y-axis a tray is inserted beneath them and the magnets
deactivate. The M-CNTs and MPs are no longer in control of the magnetic field and thus fall on the tray and are sent
for recovery.

Figure 27: a) The mechanism development for turning manual magnets into an autonomous system. b) The constructed
machine for M-CNT applications

Steps of the cleaning process can be itemized as the following:

• Contaminated water is sent in the machine via an arduino water pump.

• M-CNT material is added to the incoming water.
• Magnets go down into y-axis, into the water.
• Magnetic fields of the magnets are periodically activated, causing a pumping effect through the machine. This
mobility also facilitates the M-CNTs to interact with MPs and collect more MPs from the water.
• The magnets go up in the y-axis, out of the water.
• Cleaned water is released from the machine.
• The magnets are held still in the positive y-axis and an extraction tray is inserted beneath them.
• The magnets get deactivate thus the M-CNTs and MPs are no longer in control of the magnetic field and fall on
the extraction tray.
• Particles on the extraction tray are sent for recovery.

13
5 Applications & Recommendations
• The developed technology can be incorporated into water treatment facilities to prevent MPs from entering
marine ecosystems.
• The designed machine can be mounted on ships to extract MPs from the oceans.
• It is well known that microplastics from washing machines enter the environment and pollute the marine ecosys-
tem significantly. This MPs removal method can be used on washing machine’s sewages to prevent synthetic
fiber pollution.

6 Conclusion
M-CNTs developed in this project exhibited adherence to the surfaces of all common MPs in artificial seawater. With
the application of magnetic forces, the M-CNTs can completely remove MPs within 10 minutes. The adsorption of M-
CNTs by MPs were caused due to the strong hydrophobicity of MPs, temporary dipole interactions and electro-static
force. The UV/VIS spectrometer findings of cleansed water samples are subejcted for Beer-Lambert Law calculations
which demonstrated a 98% success rate for MPs removal. The used M-CNTs can be recovered by thermal treatment at
35°C and washed with considerably low amount of EtOH, and once again be utilzed to remove MPs.

A machine for the real-life applications of M-CNT is developed in which the dual goals of moving M-CNTs through
the machine and continuously removing microplastics from water is achieved. Results recommend that M-CNT can be
used as efficient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly material to remove microplastics. Hence, MPs removal from water
has been investigated by merging nanomaterials with unique surface qualities, and a system that offers a lot of technical
potential in terms of cleaning microplastics in aquatic environments has been developed.

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