Smart textiles clean industrial wastewater and generate clean energy

• Researchers at IIT Delhi have developed "electrogenic" textiles that simultaneously purify industrial wastewater and generate electricity.
• The flexible, fabric-based system outperforms traditional rigid electrodes by using recycled polyester microfibers coated with carbon nanotubes and conductive polymers.
• Laboratory tests using real textile effluent demonstrated an 82% reduction in harmful dyes and an 86% reduction in Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD).

The Technology

• Material Composition: The electrodes are made from nonwoven PET microfiber fabric sourced from recycled plastic bottles. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) provide high surface area for electron transport, while polyaniline (PANI) acts as a bridge to secure electron attachment.
• Bio-electrogenesis: The system relies on exoelectrogens, specifically a strain of Lysinibacillus bacteria. These microbes "breathe" electricity by consuming organic pollutants and releasing electrons, which are then captured by the conductive textile.
• Efficiency: The fabric's structure allows for dense bacterial biofilm formation, enabling it to generate nearly 2,000 times more electricity than conventional materials like graphite rods or carbon cloth.

Environmental and Economic Impact

• Waste-to-Energy: The system produces enough electricity to partially offset its own operating costs, moving away from energy-intensive traditional methods.
• Valuable Byproducts: Beyond water purification and power, the process produces malonic acid, a chemical used in pharmaceuticals, perfumes, and plastics.
• Scalability: Unlike rigid treatment infrastructure, these flexible, inexpensive textiles can be adapted for both small-scale local dyeing units and large industrial plants, offering a scalable model for a circular economy.