MAKHACHKALA, June 17 – RIA "Dagestan". Researchers from the "Smart Materials" laboratory of Dagestan State University have developed porous composite membranes that decompose organic pollutants in water using ultrasound and an alternating magnetic field, the university's press service reports. The research results were published in the international journal Materials Today Catalysis by the publishing house Elsevier.
The development is based on composite membranes made of fluoropolymer and barium hexaferrite nanoparticles. The scientific group led by Candidate of Chemical Sciences Farid Orudzhev systematically studied the new material's ability to break down organic pollutants. The key achievement of Dagestani scientists is that the material is activated without direct mechanical contact and without the use of light.
Under the influence of ultrasound, the membrane operates in piezocatalysis mode, generating powerful oxidizers — hydroxyl radicals — that safely decompose toxic substances into harmless components. The degree of water purification using this method reaches 96% within 60 minutes.
For the first time in the world, magnetically induced piezocatalysis has been demonstrated on membranes of this type. Under the influence of an alternating magnetic field, magnetic particles inside the membrane create local micro-deformations that are effectively transmitted to the polymer matrix and generate internal electric fields that destroy pollutants. With this fully contactless method, the efficiency of organic degradation reaches 81%. Moreover, the developed membranes possess high mechanical stability and are capable of operating in multiple cycles without losing their properties.
Farid Orudzhev noted that the key distinction of the development was the demonstration of the ability to trigger catalytic processes using a low-frequency alternating magnetic field.
According to Orudzhev, the study shows that organic pollutants can be efficiently degraded when exposed to an alternating magnetic field with a frequency of just a few hertz—a method he called a fundamentally different approach. The low-frequency field causes micro-deformations of the magneto-sensitive particles embedded in the membrane, which then transmit mechanical stress to the piezoelectric polymer matrix and produce internal electric fields. This triggers redox reactions that destroy pollutants without relying on direct contact, light, or sophisticated high-frequency systems.
According to DSU Rector Murtazali Rabadanov, the creation of energy-efficient and contactless deep water purification technologies is of great importance for global ecology and sustainable regional development, providing industry and agriculture with safe water resources. The technology could form the basis for creating compact filters for treating industrial wastewater, autonomous water purification systems activated remotely via physical fields, as well as new types of piezoelectric energy generators. The research was carried out with grant support from the Russian Science Foundation.