Bamboo Fiber Paper-Based Filter Material for Fast and Efficient Capture of Microplastics

Aiming at the hot issue of global microplastics (MPs) pollution, an ecofriendly paper-based filter from bamboo-derived cellulose was developed through mechanical processing and traditional papermaking formation technology. The paper-based filter exhibited a stable capture efficiency of 98% and exceptional filtration flux of 21167 L m–2 h–1 for amine-modified polystyrene (PS-NH2, 5 μm). Remarkably, filtration kinetics followed the intermediate blocking model (R2 = 0.99), and the filter demonstrated excellent reusability, maintaining 99% efficiency after 10 cycles. Furthermore, it demonstrated remarkable universal adaptability, achieving >95% removal for polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and also exhibited exceptional purification of three natural water samples. The superior capture performance stemmed from synergistic multiscale interactions between the microstructure and MPs, including physical interception, MP self-sedimentation effect, electrostatic interaction, hydrogen bonding, and π-π interactions. Life cycle assessment (LCA) confirmed a 48.8% reduction in global warming potential (GWP) unit energy consumption compared to conventional polymeric filters, with electricity and water consumption identified as primary environmental impacts via sensitivity and contribution analysis. Furthermore, a sustainable strategy was proposed to achieve MPs recovery and utilization. This work provides an efficient and environmentally friendly solution for microplastic remediation with significant potential for drinking water purification and MP separation in complex aquatic environments.