{"684077":{"#nid":"684077","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Iron Nanoparticles Can Help Treat Contaminated Water","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EToday, approximately \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/metroconnects.org\/america-recycles\/\u0022\u003E1,800,000 acres\u003C\/a\u003E of land in the United States is used for landfill waste disposal. In terms of volume, the U.S alone generated \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling\/national-overview-facts-and-figures-materials\u0022\u003Eover 290 million tons of solid waste\u003C\/a\u003E in 2018, an amount equivalent to about 235,000 Olympic-size swimming pools, assuming an average solid waste density of a half ton per cubic meter.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERoughly 9% \u2014 about 26 million tons \u2014 of this waste is made up of iron and steel. These are resources with a stable market value used in various civil infrastructure projects. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=7v4Qd4QAAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0022\u003EAs a team\u003C\/a\u003E of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=PX7VYvQAAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0022\u003Eenvironmental engineers\u003C\/a\u003E, we wanted to know whether we could use iron-rich waste to produce iron oxide nanoparticles \u2014 a useful tool for combating water pollution and building engineering hardware.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EAll About Nanoparticles\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/chemistry\/iron-oxide-nanoparticle\u0022\u003EIron oxide nanoparticles\u003C\/a\u003E consist of iron and oxygen atoms and, because of their size, they exhibit unique physical and chemical properties. They are extremely small, typically at the nanoscale \u2014 one-billionth of a meter \u2014 in diameter.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe iron oxide nanoparticles we synthesized were a distinctive group called magnetite and maghemite. Initial studies have shown that nanoparticles in this group could \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.ijpx.2024.100231\u0022\u003Ehelp drugs get to the right part of the body\u003C\/a\u003E, make \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1039\/D3TA07372F\u0022\u003Ebatteries in electric vehicles\u003C\/a\u003E more efficient and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41598-024-76106-5\u0022\u003Eimprove sensors\u003C\/a\u003E for detecting toxic gas, as well as sound and motion.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBecause these nanoparticles are made of iron, they\u2019re both magnetic and stable. Their tiny size gives them a large surface area relative to their volume, allowing them to grab pollutants in water. Additionally, their magnetic nature makes them ideal for building extremely small and thin electrical components.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn our work, we wanted to find a new way to produce them using waste materials. In our newest study, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1039\/D5SU00312A\u0022\u003Epublished in the RSC Sustainability journal\u003C\/a\u003E, we developed an eco-friendly method to synthesize iron oxide nanoparticles from expired over-the-counter iron supplements. This approach not only gives value to discarded products but also supports a more sustainable and circular method of production.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe Research Process\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo conduct our study, we used a method called \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/chemistry\/hydrothermal-carbonization\u0022\u003Ehydrothermal carbonization\u003C\/a\u003E to produce these magnetic nanoparticles. We were able to source a large amount of expired iron supplements from a local health care center.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe hydrothermal carbonization process uses a turbocharged version of the kind of pressure cooker you might have in your kitchen. For our recipe, we combined 20 grams each of expired iron supplements and water in a specialized pressure reactor. We then cooked the mixture at 527 degrees Fahrenheit (275 degrees Celsius) for six to 12 hours. Under this intense temperature and pressure, the supplements broke down, which produced tiny \u2014 10- to 11-nanometer \u2014 particles.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe end product included a solid charcoal-like material called hydrochar, which made up about 20% to 22% of the product. The hydrochar consisted of the iron oxide nanoparticles and graphite, a carbon-rich material that gave the hydrochar its charcoal-like look. The rest became gas and a dark, tarlike liquid separate from the hydrochar.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHydrothermal carbonization is not the only method used to make iron oxide nanoparticles. There are other conventional methods such as \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/acssuschemeng.5b01141\u0022\u003Ecoprecipitation\u003C\/a\u003E, which involves mixing chemicals to form solids. Another method is \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.biortech.2015.09.026\u0022\u003Epyrolysis\u003C\/a\u003E, where materials are heated in the absence of oxygen. And finally, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/acsomega.1c06336\u0022\u003Egasification\u003C\/a\u003E, which heats materials in the presence of oxygen.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese methods usually require a higher energy input, around 1,292 to 1,832 degrees Fahrenheit (700 to 1,000 C), or harsh salt chemicals. In contrast, hydrothermal carbonization, the method we used, is water-based and can happen at a low temperature.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/682106\/original\/file-20250724-56-hmtklc.jpeg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/682106\/original\/file-20250724-56-hmtklc.jpeg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 alt=\u0022A diagrom showing the research process -- in the first column, the creation of the particles from expired supplements, in the 2nd, three tests the researchers run, and in the third, potential applications including sensors, semiconductors, treating water\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInitial research shows that nanoparticles created from iron clears some pollutants from wastewater. After creating the nanoparticles, researchers test them using a variety of scientific techniques. The nanoparticles have several potential future applications in the technology field. Ahmed Yunus\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe compared our hydrothermal carbonization process\u2019s energy use with other methods and found it had the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1039\/D5SU00312A\u0022\u003Elowest environmental impact\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EFrom Polluted Water to Clean\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe iron oxide nanoparticles we created are very useful for water treatment. They are \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1039\/C5EN00282F\u0022\u003Eparticularly good at removing oil\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.matchemphys.2021.124860\u0022\u003Eheavy metals\u003C\/a\u003E such as lead, cadmium, zinc and chromium from water. These are pollutants known to cause serious \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fphar.2021.643972\u0022\u003Ehealth issues, including cancer\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou can either mix them with polluted water or allow the water to pass through them, similar to a common household filter.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo test their performance, we mixed our iron oxide nanoparticles in wastewater samples containing \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/compound\/Methylene-Blue\u0022\u003Emethylene blue dye\u003C\/a\u003E, a common pollutant in textile and manufacturing wastewater. We found they removed over 95% of the dye, and because the particles are magnetic, we could remove them from the treated water using a magnet so they didn\u2019t contaminate the water.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/678652\/original\/file-20250707-56-eo0cvh.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/678652\/original\/file-20250707-56-eo0cvh.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 alt=\u0022Two vials of water, one a bright blue and one more clear.\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWater polluted with methylene blue cleared up after treatment with iron oxide nanoparticles over 48 hours, and the nanoparticles attach to a magnet. Yunus et al., 2025\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDepending on the type of pollutants in the water, iron oxide nanoparticles can sometimes be \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pubs.rsc.org\/en\/content\/articlehtml\/2022\/ra\/d2ra05832d\u0022\u003Ereused after they\u2019re heated again\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EMoving Forward\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe produced a small amount of these nanoparticles in the lab for this study. However, large quantities of iron waste are sent to landfills. These include materials such as steel sludge and metal scraps. So in theory, many more of these nanoparticles could be produced in the future. If produced in large enough quantities, large water and wastewater plant filtration systems could use these particles to treat much larger amounts of water.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut landfill waste isn\u2019t all one type of waste. Iron-rich waste may be contaminated with other materials, making its sourcing, sorting and recycling both resource-intensive and costly. To scale up this technology sustainably, researchers will need to first overcome these challenges.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOn the bright side, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20220818005530\/en\/%24126-Million-Worldwide-Magnetite-Nanoparticles-Industry-to-2027---Featuring-American-Elements-Cytodiagnostics-and-Reade-International-Among-Others---ResearchAndMarkets.com\u0022\u003Eeconomists predict\u003C\/a\u003E that alternative metals, including iron oxide nanoparticles, may help meet production demands for \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.5772\/intechopen.104930\u0022\u003Efuture technologies\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/doi.org\/10.1088\/2053-1591\/ad2a84\u0022\u003Eartificial intelligence\u003C\/a\u003E. These nanoparticles can be used to manufacture high-performance computing components. These components include \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/patents.google.com\/patent\/DE69310223D1\/en\u0022\u003Emagnetic memory storage\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/srep18157\u0022\u003Esemiconductors\u003C\/a\u003E found in our everyday technologies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELots of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.eneco.2025.108195\u0022\u003Ecritical metals currently used\u003C\/a\u003E are expensive, scarce or \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/from-glass-and-steel-to-rare-earth-metals-new-materials-have-changed-society-throughout-history-258244\u0022\u003Egeopolitically sensitive\u003C\/a\u003E: cobalt, nickel and lithium. As a result, our team is starting to explore how this hydrothermal carbonization-based method can be scaled and applied to other types of waste materials.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOur long-term goal is to expand the tool kit for sustainable nanoparticle production while continuing to address both environmental challenges and materials demands for future innovations.\u003Cimg src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/260364\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/iron-nanoparticles-can-help-treat-contaminated-water-our-team-of-scientists-created-them-out-of-expired-supplements-260364\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA team of scientists created iron nanoparticules out of expired supplements.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A team of scientists created iron nanoparticules out of expired supplements."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2025-08-22 13:20:39","changed_gmt":"2025-08-26 15:40:52","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-08-06T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-08-06T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677769":{"id":"677769","type":"image","title":"Iron Supplements","body":"\u003Cp\u003EScientists used pharmaceutical waste to create a new material with interesting properties. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/photo\/tablets-or-pills-spilling-out-of-a-brown-glass-royalty-free-image\/1220432524?phrase=iron+supplements\u0022\u003EMitrija\/iStock via Getty Images\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1755870055","gmt_created":"2025-08-22 13:40:55","changed":"1755870055","gmt_changed":"2025-08-22 13:40:55","alt":"Iron Supplements","file":{"fid":"261706","name":"file-20250724-66-3cos0i.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/08\/22\/file-20250724-66-3cos0i.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/08\/22\/file-20250724-66-3cos0i.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":134678,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/08\/22\/file-20250724-66-3cos0i.jpg?itok=gTaJd1W7"}}},"media_ids":["677769"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/iron-nanoparticles-can-help-treat-contaminated-water-our-team-of-scientists-created-them-out-of-expired-supplements-260364","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"660369","name":"Matter and Systems"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1253","name":"School of Civil and Envrionmental Engineering"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"194701","name":"go-resarchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193652","name":"Matter and Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthors:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/ahmed-ibrahim-yunus-2418775\u0022\u003EAhmed Ibrahim Yunus\u003C\/a\u003E, Ph.D. Candidate in Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/joe-frank-bozeman-iii-1460712\u0022\u003EJoe Frank Bozeman III\u003C\/a\u003E, Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Public Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}