Water & Materials

Corn-Based Nanofiber Membrane Removes Triclosan & Other Micropollutants

Electrospun cyclodextrin fibers were reported to remove ~90% triclosan in lab tests, with ~75% in the first 15 minutes at 11 mg/L and ~88% at ~6 hours.

📅 Published: Oct 23, 2025 🔗 Source: Cornell University

Cyclodextrin-based electrospun nanofiber membrane (feature image). Source: Cornell University.

Quick Intro

A Cornell research group reported a cyclodextrin-based fibrous membrane that removed approximately 90% of aqueous triclosan in lab testing and captured other micropollutants. The material is washable and reusable and is fabricated via electrospinning, producing fibers under 1 µm diameter for high surface-area adsorption. Full details are available via Cornell University.

Target pollutant: Triclosan. ~75% removed at 15 min (11 mg/L), ~88% at ~6 hr (saturation).

Material: Cyclodextrin nanofiber made by electrospinning (<1 µm diameter) enabling high adsorption.

Other micropollutants: Reported removal efficacy for ciprofloxacin and oxybenzone.

Reusability: Regenerated by washing; cyclodextrin is corn-starch derived and biodegradable.

Waters tested: Flat Rock, groundwater wells, and wastewater treatment plants.

Team & method: Lead: Mahmoud Aboelkheir; Senior author: Tamer Uyar; confirmation included ROE-NMR at Cornell NMR Facilities.

Interactive: Triclosan Uptake vs. Time (Documented Points)

Use the buttons or slider to switch between reported times. Values are limited to the study’s noted measurements.

Keyboard: focus the slider and use ← → keys to step through.

75% uptake

Solution: triclosan at 11 mg/L (lab test condition).

Additional note: Ciprofloxacin and oxybenzone removal were reported; percentages were not specified in the summary used here.

Materials & Method

Electrospinning produced fibers <1 µm in diameter for high surface-area adsorption.
Cyclodextrin formed the fiber itself; no extra support substrate required.
Validation included rotating-frame Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy at Cornell NMR Facilities.

“The electrospinning produces a very thin fiber, less than 1 micron in diameter, which gives high surface area and excellent adsorption,” said Mahmoud Aboelkheir.

Reusability & Sustainability

Membrane regenerated by washing (lower energy demand than restoring powdered adsorbents).
Corn-starch–derived cyclodextrin is biodegradable.

Real-World Waters & Research Group

Waters used in tests: Flat Rock, groundwater wells, and wastewater treatment plants.
Lead author: Mahmoud Aboelkheir (Human Centered Design). Senior author: Tamer Uyar (Fiber Science). Co-authors: Asli Celebioglu, Damian Helbling, Ivan Keresztes.

Source & Further Reading

Full announcement: Cornell University. Explore related coverage on Karmactive:

The piece covered the membrane type, preparation, documented triclosan uptake at noted times, other tested micropollutants, reusability by washing, water sources used during testing, and the contributing researchers.

Latest from News

Cornell nanofiber removes nearly 90% triclosan from water; “very thin fiber” under 1 micron confirmed in lab