Articles
Pomegranate-Peel Nanobiochar Water Purifier Research 2026
NUS researchers developed nanobiochar from discarded pomegranate peels that removed more than 94% of 4-nitrophenol from water in laboratory tests.
Pomegranate-Peel Nanobiochar Water Purifier Research 2026
Material and pollutant
NUS researchers developed a nanoscale carbon material from discarded pomegranate peels collected from local markets in Singapore. The material is intended to adsorb 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), an industrial pollutant associated with the production of pesticides, pharmaceuticals and dyes. (NUS, 26 May 2026, accessed 5 September 2026.)
Production and laboratory performance
The peels were converted to biochar by controlled heating at 600°C, then processed into nanoparticles by ball milling and ultrasonication in water without chemical activating agents. In laboratory tests under optimised conditions, the nanobiochar removed more than 94% of 4-NP within 90 minutes; after three reuse cycles, it removed 85.76%. These are laboratory results, not a guarantee of performance in all wastewater streams. (NUS, 26 May 2026, accessed 5 September 2026.)
Development boundary
The research links food-waste valorisation with water treatment and may support more sustainable industrial wastewater technologies. NUS said the team was testing real wastewater samples and that scale-up and integration with existing treatment systems remained future steps. The material is therefore a research-stage technology, not an approved universal water purifier or a replacement for Singapore's regulated water-treatment systems. (NUS, 26 May 2026, accessed 5 September 2026.)
Record details
- Also known as
- ["pomegranate peel water purifier","NUS nanobiochar","4-nitrophenol water purification"]
- Jurisdiction
- SG
Dates describe this record’s own period and applicability. A verification date does not mean a rule is currently in force.
Sources
- NUS researchers upcycle pomegranate peel into high-performance water purifier Accessed 2026-09-05
Collection as of 2026-10-07 · An expanding collection. Published counts show available knowledge, not complete coverage of Singapore.