Professor Zhang Jianming’s team at Qingdao University of Science and Technology has recently achieved a breakthrough in water purification materials. They successfully transformed squid bones—a waste product from seafood processing—into ultrafiltration water purification membranes, offering a novel approach to “turning waste into treasure” and addressing water quality issues. Globally, approximately 60,000 tons of squid bone waste are generated annually. Traditional disposal methods, such as discarding or incinerating the waste, not only squander resources but also pollute the environment. The team extracted ultrafine β-chitin nanofibers from squid bones through processes like deproteinization and demineralization. These nanofibers were then spun and formed into water purification membranes.
Experimental data shows this membrane achieves a pure water flux of 280 L·m⁻²·h⁻¹, with retention rates exceeding 98% for nano-plastic particles and dye molecules like methylene blue. In accelerated aging tests lasting 72 hours, performance degradation remained below 5%, demonstrating stability far surpassing conventional polymer membranes. The team has filed relevant patents, with prospects for low-cost mass production in the future. This technology holds promise for rural and remote areas as well as industrial wastewater treatment, simultaneously reducing purification costs and minimizing waste pollution—achieving a win-win for environmental protection and practical application.
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