Eco-Electrodes from Gdańsk Tech to Remove Pharmaceuticals from Wastewater | Gdańsk University of Technology

The aim of this interdisciplinary team – comprising researchers and doctoral students from three faculties of Gdańsk Tech – was to develop a novel method for producing durable, high-performance 3D-printed carbon electrodes, suitable for both electrochemical wastewater treatment and sensitive detection of trace substances.

– Commercially available conductive filaments for 3D printing – i.e., materials that are melted and layered in the 3D printing process – typically have limitations: they do not withstand high temperatures or aggressive chemical environments, and they require pre-activation processes, which complicates their use in electrochemical oxidation of wastewater contaminants – explains Mattia Pierpaoli, PhD, Gdańsk Tech Professor from the Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Informatics, and the project leader. – To overcome these limitations, we proposed a novel two-step electrode fabrication strategy and demonstrated its effectiveness in oxidizing three pharmaceutical compounds: atenolol, metoprolol, and propranolol – all of which are frequently detected in Polish wastewater.

Free from Critical Raw Materials

Electrodes currently used in wastewater treatment or electrochemical analysis often rely on critical raw materials or rare metals, which are costly, environmentally burdensome, and difficult to dispose of.

– Our approach eliminates the need for metallic catalysts and substrates containing critical raw materials, allowing for the direct growth of nanostructured carbon on custom-designed carbon structures – explains Professor Pierpaoli. – As a result, these electrodes are not only more sustainable to produce but also easier to handle at the end of their service life. The method combines technical innovation – including the ability to custom-design electrodes – with environmental benefits, as it avoids the use of rare and toxic materials.

For Removing Pharmaceuticals and Other Micropollutants

The electrodes developed at Gdańsk University of Technology may be used for wastewater purification, particularly in the removal of pharmaceutically active substances – such as residual drugs and other organic micropollutants.

– Our material synthesis approach could also be applied in the development of biosensors and medical diagnostics. By fine-tuning the nanostructure, we can reduce electrode fouling – a phenomenon where surface contamination decreases the efficiency of organic pollutant removal and sensor performance – adds Prof. Pierpaoli. – In sensors, this enables more reliable and sensitive measurements in complex matrices such as blood or urine.

The project was carried out as part of the OPUS programme of the National Science Centre (NCN) and integrated expertise from various disciplines.

PhD student Iwona Kaczmarzyk conducted electrochemical tests and material characterization, supported by Paweł Jakóbczyk, PhD, Eng., Prof. Jacek Ryl and Prof. Robert Bogdanowicz. PhD student Patryk Sokołowski was responsible for the development of the 3D printing technology and electrode fabrication methods. Małgorzata Szopińska, PhD, Eng., developed analytical methodologies, performed chemical analysis, and validated the results. Mattia Pierpaoli, PhD, Gdańsk Tech Professor, performed preliminary simulations and coordinated the research activities.

The results of this research project have been published in Nano-Micro Letters, one of the leading peer-reviewed journals in this field (Impact Factor 2024: 36.3).