Reusing cellulose acetate microplastic fibres derived from discarded cigarette butts as superior adsorbent for lead ions: UV ageing, adsorption mechanisms and DOM investigation

• Published in: Sustainable Materials and Technologies Vol. 43; p. e01319
• Main Authors: Sethulakshmi, A.G., Saravanakumar, M.P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.04.2025
• Subjects: adsorbents; Adsorption; Cellulose acetate; Cigarette butts; cigarettes; cows; Half capacity concentration; half life; heavy metals; lead; Microplastic fibres; microplastics; organic matter; pollutants; sustainable development; MPf; CAa; DOM; CAb; Cigarette butts; HCC; Half capacity concentration; MPs; CA15a; Microplastic fibres; Adsorption; CA7a; CA7; HA; Cellulose acetate; CA15; CA; CB
• ISSN: 2214-9937
• DOI: 10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01319

Cigarette butts (CBs), the residual components of cigarettes post-consumption, are primarily composed of cellulose acetate microplastic fibres (CA MPf), which significantly contribute to the global excess of non-biodegradable plastic trash. Consequently, for the first time, this study examines the reusability of hazardous CA MPf by extracting it from discarded CBs, recycling it, and employing as an effective adsorbent for Pb (II) removal from aquatic environments. Further, the UV ageing characteristics, adsorption behavior, and dissolved organic matter (DOM) investigation of CA MPf embedded within CBs have been examined, to comprehend the heavy metal adsorption characteristics in water environment. Subsequently, under UV irradiations, a novel cow urine-based ageing approach for CA MPf has been explored to enhance the ageing properties, which was not previously the subject of any research. Notably, the cow urine-aged CA MPf demonstrated a remarkable increase in removal efficacy (96 %) for Pb (II), compared to the pristine CA MPf. The lower half-life capacity of 1.748 min and higher HCC of 60 mg/L obtained for aged CA MPf revealed rapid adsorption potential and higher removal efficiency. The DOM investigation of pristine and cow urine-aged MPf shows possible leaching of humic acid-like components as environmental pollutant “vectors.” CA MPf's reusability as an adsorbent guarantees a sustainable approach and is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goal. [Display omitted] •Novel insights into the reusability of hazardous CA MPf for Pb (II) removal.•First study in microplastics ageing in cow urine environment under UV irradiations.•Nitrogenous compounds in cow urine enhanced adsorption efficiency for Pb (II).•Aged CA MPf reveals a higher surface area of 2080.736 m2/g with 96 % removal.•Leached Humic Acid DOM components upon ageing act as pollutant vectors.