Reconfigurable Magnetic Liquid Metal Microrobots: A Regenerable Solution for the Capture and Removal of Micro/Nanoplastics

Abstract

The pervasive presence of micro/nanoplastics in the environment is a significant threat to ecosystems and human health, demanding effective remediation strategies. Traditional methods for extracting these pollutants from water are often inadequate, typically leaving environmentally harmful residues. In response, this work introduces an innovative approach using reconfigurable and regenerable liquid metal microrobots (LiquidBots) that are magnetically driven to actively sequester micro/nanoplastics from aquatic environments. These LiquidBots utilize a coating of gallium oxide for enhanced adhesion and electrostatic interaction to capture over 80% of nanoplastics present in the solution. Additionally, the LiquidBots can be easily regenerated through sonication, which dislodges captured nanoplastics, allowing the microrobots to be reused. This novel technology offers a highly efficient, adaptable, and sustainable solution to combat the micro/nanoplastic pollution crisis. Reconfigurable and regenerable magnetic liquid metal microrobots are designed for capturing and removing micro/nanoplastics. The process involves four steps: 1) Preparation of LiquidBots. 2) Magnetic manipulation and transport of micro/nanoplastics using a 3D magnetic field. 3) Desorption of the captured micro/nanoplastics. 4) Reconfigurable of GaIn-Fe. image