Nano bio-polymeric sintered capillary tubes for enhanced lead removal from water: a comparative study of performance and fluid dynamics

This study introduces the development of nano bio-polymeric sintered capillary tubes (StC) for effective lead removal from contaminated water. Bio-polymers from palm fronds, periwinkle shells, and snail shells were used to synthesise nanoparticles, characterised for particle size (39.13–59.14 nm), porosity, and thermal stability (up to 300°C). Integrated into a capillary system, PfStC achieved 81.73% lead removal, outperforming PwStC (72.33%) and SnStC (59.7%) This high performance is attributed to the synergistic effects of the nanostructured bio-polymers and the capillary action that enhances fluid dynamics within the tubes. The adsorption mechanism involves a combination of ion exchange, complexation, and physical filtration facilitated by the bio-polymeric nanoparticles. The study further highlights the scalability of this approach for large-scale water purification, underscoring its potential for addressing widespread water contamination challenges. Additionally capillary action enhanced flow rates (5.63 × 10⁻⁷ m³/s) and capillary rise (0.0152 m). Spectral analysis revealed that ion exchange and complexation were the dominant mechanisms in lead capture. These findings demonstrated the practical applications of nano bio-polymeric sintered capillary tubes in water purification systems, offering a sustainable and cost-effective solution for real-world heavy metal remediation. The combined effects of nanostructure and capillary action, and the use of cost-effective, and sustainable solution for lead remediation in water highlight the potential for scaling this technology for large-scale lead remediation.