Researchers are making significant advances in using tin to treat pollution in water systems. Recently published research has highlighted several new technologies.
Growing industrial and household waste streams due to an exponentially rising population, are leading to higher rates of pollution in our water systems. Many pollution compounds have carcinogenic properties.
Tin is able to act as a photocatalyst, breaking down pollutants into non-toxic counterparts by harnessing energy from sunlight. When tin absorbs light, its electrons are excited and are able to react with water or dissolved oxygen molecules. This forms highly reactive species such as hydroxide radicals (•OH) or superoxide (O2-) which can oxidise pollutants such as dyes, pesticides and more into non-toxic components.
Researchers in India have designed an iron doped tin (IV) oxide photocatalyst supported on chitosan to remove pollution in water systems. Chitosan, which can be derived from crab shells, highlights a sustainable catalyst for wastewater treatment. In fact, the catalyst is able to remove 99.8% of rose bengal dye from water even at a low dosage.
Additionally, researchers have also trialed using tin-doped copper ferrite (Sn-CuFe2O4) nanoparticles successfully for the same purpose.
Commercially, Californian-based water treatment company AMS are using tin oxide generated on site electrolytically to reduce 99% of bacteria in wastewater even at a low dosage.
These innovations highlight the growing potential of tin in wastewater treatment, providing efficient, sustainable solutions for pollution control.
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