New wastewater membrane targets antibiotic residues. Researchers at Khalifa University report a polymer membrane containing zwitterionic biochar. The team reports 99.1% tetracycline removal at a flux of 64.1 litres per square metre per hour, 98.5% removal in mixed-antibiotic solutions, and 94.8% removal in municipal wastewater. Potential applications include tertiary wastewater treatment and reuse-water polishing. This is experimental work, not a commercially proven solution. Longer-term testing is needed to establish fouling resistance, cleaning, energy use, cost, and management of concentrated waste. Primary study: DOI 10.1038/s41545-026-00643-x.
Leave a Reply