Researchers at the McGill University have invented a type of cellulose nanoparticle which is more effective and less environmentally damaging solution. This nanoparticle will help to overcome the challenges faced by the water-based industries for prevention of buildup of scale.
These nanoparticles are manufactured by the gathering sparingly soluble minerals and scale can impair the operation of just about the requirement and conducts or stores the water. Many anti-scaling agents which are currently in use, they are derivatives of phosphorous and other environmental pollutants. These pollutants have catastrophic concerns for the aquatic ecosystem.
These papers are published in the journals such as the American Chemical Society’s Applied Materials & Interfaces and Royal Society of Chemistry’s Materials Horizons has described developed a phosphorus-free anti-scaling solution based on nanotechnology and advancements with the name – hairy nanocellulose.
Lead author of the study Amir Sheikhi, a postdoctoral fellow working with the Department of Bioengineering at the University of California, Los Angeles said that despite the green credentials cellulose is not the novel place to fight with scale.
Cellulose is most widely and available in the abundant biopolymer globally. It is renewable and biodegradable, but it is one of the least preferable options as an anti-scaling agent, Sheikhi added.
Additionally, another postdoctoral fellow and chemistry professor at McGill University, Ashok Kakkar said that Sheikhi has developed a series of macromolecular anti-scalants that are effective that the products which are currently used at the industrial level. But, these are phosphorus-based products and he is now trying to manufacture the phosphorus-free products as an alternative which is cellulose.
