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23 June 2026

Industrial waste transformed into material capable of efficiently cleaning water

Industrial waste transformed into material capable of efficiently cleaning water

What if an industrial waste product could help make water cleaner? That's precisely what a team of researchers from the University of Aveiro (UA) and CICECO members have demonstrated by developing a new material capable of removing pollutants from water, giving a second life to waste produced by industry.

The research uses so-called "red mud," an industrial waste product generated during the Bayer process of refining bauxite, the main raw material used in the production of alumina and, subsequently, aluminum. Instead of being considered just waste, this material was used to create three-dimensional structures produced by 3D printing, capable of acting as advanced filters for the treatment of contaminated water.

To increase its effectiveness, researchers Nuno Gonçalves, Ricardo Silva, Tito Trindade, and Rui Novais, from the Department of Chemistry, CICECO – Institute of Materials of Aveiro, and the Department of Materials and Ceramics, incorporated carbon nanotubes and a titanium dioxide coating, materials known for their photocatalytic properties. In practice, this means that when exposed to ultraviolet light, the new material triggers chemical reactions capable of degrading pollutants present in water.

Tests have revealed very promising results. The material managed to remove more than 90 percent of ciprofloxacin, an antibiotic frequently found in waterways and considered an emerging contaminant, in just one hour of operation. Under certain conditions, the elimination of the pollutant was virtually total in about 30 minutes.

In addition to its high efficiency, the system has another important advantage: it can be reused several times without significant loss of performance. Tests demonstrated that the material maintained its decontamination capacity over several cycles of use.

The research also shows that the solution is effective not only for a single pollutant, but also for more complex mixtures of contaminants, a situation frequently encountered in real-world environments.

By combining industrial waste valorization, 3D printing, and advanced water treatment technologies, the study paves the way for more sustainable and economical solutions in the fight against water pollution. This approach simultaneously contributes to the circular economy, reducing waste and creating new materials with high added value for environmental protection.

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G1 - Porous Materials and Nanosystems G4 - Renewable Materials and Circular Economy

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