BRIN develops technology to clean water with heavy metal contaminationJakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s Nuclear Technology Polytechnic under the ...
Published on by Water Network Research, Official research team of The Water Network
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s Nuclear Technology Polytechnic under the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is developing radiation-modified activated carbon to treat water contaminated with heavy metals, particularly copper (Cu²).
The innovation uses gamma irradiation and biodegradable surfactants to enhance activated carbon’s absorption capacity, offering a faster and more efficient wastewater treatment method, according to research team head Dhita Ariyanti.
“We developed a method to strengthen activated carbon’s ability to absorb heavy metals. Results show strong potential for wastewater treatment applications, with relatively quick and efficient processes,” Ariyanti said Thursday.
She explained that activated carbon was modified with Methyl Ester Sulfonate (MES), a biodegradable surfactant derived from environmentally friendly sources, then processed with gamma irradiation to improve surface structure and adsorption capacity.
Tests showed the modified carbon absorbed copper more effectively than conventional carbon, achieving optimal results after 15 minutes of contact time with a 10 kiloGray (kGy) irradiation dose.
MES surfactants provide an added advantage by reducing environmental risks compared with conventional chemicals, Ariyanti noted.
Deny Swantomo, a lecturer at the Nuclear Polytechnic, said gamma irradiation alters activated carbon at the micro level, creating more active sites to capture heavy metals.
“This demonstrates nuclear technology’s potential to support environmental solutions,” he said.
He added that the method could shorten water treatment processes, offering value for industrial applications requiring speed and efficiency.
Research is ongoing to refine performance, with future applications expected in industrial wastewater treatment and clean water supply, supporting sustainable environmental quality and public health.
Attached link
https://en.antaranews.com/amp/news/410897/brin-develops-technology-to-clean-water-with-heavy-metal-contaminationTaxonomy
- Heavy Metal Removal
- Technology
- Research
- Activated Sludge
- Electrochemical Activation
- water treatment