Cationic Nanoparticle Networks (CNNs) with Remarkably Efficient, Simultaneous Adsorption of Microplastics and PFAS.

Of the past decade, micro/nanoplastics (MP/NP) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have become two of the most pervasive persistent organic pollutants leading to significant accumulation within waterways. Various sorbent materials have been evaluated for PFAS and MP/NP removal, but their simultaneous removal has rarely been explored. Herein, we report a library of polymer-based, cationic nanoparticle networks (CNN) with systematic variation in surface charge density, polymer molecular weight, and nanoparticle size for the removal of anionic MP/NP and PFAS from aqueous solutions.