According to a press release, the work uses red mud generated during bauxite refining to create three-dimensional structures via 3D printing that function as advanced filters.

Researchers from the Department of Chemistry and CICECO incorporated carbon nanotubes and titanium dioxide to trigger photocatalytic reactions using ultraviolet light.

The material removed more than 90 per cent of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin in one hour and eliminated all the pollutants in 30 minutes, the University notes.

According to the information, "the system maintains its decontamination capacity over several cycles of use and demonstrates effectiveness in complex mixtures of contaminants."

"The study combines waste recovery with the circular economy and creates new sustainable solutions for the treatment of contaminated water," emphasises the UA. The researchers were Nuno Gonçalves, Ricardo Silva, Tito Trindade, and Rui Novais, from the Department of Chemistry, the Institute of Materials of Aveiro (CICECO), and the Department of Materials and Ceramics.