A research team led by Professor Deng Hongbing and Associate Professor Zhao Ze from 吃瓜网's (WHU) School of Resource and Environmental Sciences has published a series of breakthroughs in Science Advances and Advanced Functional Materials. Their work presents a two-part strategy – combining pollution control with material substitution – to repurpose discarded pollen into tools for microplastic removal and biodegradable plastic alternatives.
Removal of nanoplastics using a synergistic co-assembly strategy of pollen and chitosan.
The team developed a porous pollen – chitosan composite with rich micro/nanostructures capable of capturing a wide range of micro- and nanoplastics. The material can absorb up to 236.3 milligrams/gram and effectively removes other pollutants such as pharmaceuticals and endocrine disruptors. It offers broad compatibility, reusability, and stable performance under various environmental conditions.
Preparation of high-performance bioplastics through the co-assembly of pollen and cotton fibers.
To tackle plastic pollution at the source, the researchers further combined pollen with cotton fibers to create a new, eco-friendly bioplastic. Produced without high energy input or toxic chemicals, the material boasts mechanical properties comparable to or better than mainstream biodegradable and petroleum-based plastics. Its natural water processability enables versatile molding and reshaping, making it ideal for applications like packaging and medical devices.
This research offers a promising full-cycle solution to plastic pollution while opening up new avenues for the high-value use of agricultural biomass like pollen.
Link to Paper 1:
Link to Paper 2:
