MIT researchers have developed a groundbreaking water filtration material made from silk and cellulose that effectively removes persistent contaminants like PFAS, often called “forever chemicals,” and heavy metals from water. These contaminants pose serious health risks and are notoriously difficult to filter out, being found in products like non-stick cookware, cosmetics, and firefighting foams. Traditional filtration systems often fall short, but this innovative material offers a nature-based, cost-effective solution.
The research, led by MIT’s Yilin Zhang and Professor Benedetto Marelli, builds on an unexpected discovery. Originally, the team developed the silk nanofibril technology to combat counterfeit seeds. Zhang realized that adding cellulose, a common byproduct of wood pulp, could enhance the silk’s filtration properties. The hybrid material aligns silk molecules into nanoscale structures, dramatically improving its effectiveness at capturing pollutants.
What makes this material especially promising is its strong antimicrobial properties, which reduce the issue of membrane fouling, a common problem in traditional filters. Lab tests showed that the silk-cellulose membranes outperform widely used filtration materials like activated carbon in removing contaminants, including metal ions and PFAS.
Beyond its efficacy, the material is food-grade, lowering the risk of introducing harmful substances into filtered water. While it’s still in the research phase, the material could be scaled for home use—such as faucet filters—and eventually for municipal water treatment systems, potentially addressing global water contamination issues.
The challenge now lies in scaling up production, as the current reliance on silk proteins from the textile industry might not meet the demands of global water filtration. Researchers are exploring more cost-effective, sustainable alternatives to silk for future large-scale applications. With further development, this technology could revolutionize water purification and offer a sustainable solution to one of today’s most pressing environmental problems.
Image credit : news.mit.edu
