IIT Bhilai Team turns waste sulphur intomaterials to combat water pollution

 

 

 

IN A breakthrough that connects sustainable chemistry with the national need for clean drinking water, scientists at IIT Bhilai have developed a polymer technology that uses industrial sulphur waste to combat water pollution. Researchers Bhanendra Sahu, Sudipta Paul, Priyank Sinha, and Dr Sanjib Banerjee have created a metal-free, eco-friendly polymerization process that converts low-value sulphur waste into sulphur -dots (Sdots), which act as green photocatalysts for producing advanced smart polymers.

 

The work has been published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition. This innovation addresses two major societal challenges: managing toxic industrial sulphur waste and removing hazardous hydrophobic pollutants from contaminated water. Sulphur waste from petroleum refining, coal processing, and chemical industries often creates disposal and environmental problems. By transforming this waste into high-value Sdots, the IIT Bhilai team enables the synthesis of multi-arm star polymers with remarkable water-cleaning properties.

 

These star polymers selfassemble into nanoscale spherical structures that behave like microscopic sponges. In laboratory studies, they removed over 80% of hydrophobic pollutant which resembles dyes, pesticides, and oil residues indicating strong potential for river and lake cleanup. With water pollution rising across India, especially in industrial and agricultural regions, such materials could greatly strengthen wastewater treatment and remediation efforts.

 

Highlighting the dual benefit, Dr. Banerjee said, “We are turning industrial waste into a clean catalyst and then using it to create smart polymers that purify polluted water. It’s a complete circular solution.” The technology aligns strongly with national priorities such as Jal Jeevan Mission, environmental restoration programs, and sustainable industrial practices. Waste-derived polymer platform could become a powerful tool in India’s mission to ensure safe, clean, and accessible water for all.