In a major advancement for environmental sustainability, researchers at the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) have engineered innovative nano fibre membranes capable of efficiently eliminating toxic dye pollutants from textile industry wastewater. The development presents a cost-effective and scalable response to one of the most pressing pollution issues affecting India’s textile manufacturing clusters.

Synthetic dyes such as crystal violet are extensively used in textile processing. When released into water bodies without adequate treatment, these chemicals contaminate groundwater and pose significant risks to aquatic ecosystems and human health. Several of these compounds are classified as carcinogenic. Conventional treatment technologies often prove expensive and fall short in completely removing such contaminants.

To address these limitations, a team led by IICT Chief Scientist Sundergopal Sridhar designed a specialised filtration membrane using electrospinning technology. The membrane incorporates advanced nanomaterials, including ZIF-67 and graphene oxide, which significantly improve its capacity to capture and remove dye molecules from industrial effluents.

“Our objective was to create a solution that combines high efficiency with economic feasibility for large-scale industrial application,” Sridhar explained. “The nano fibre membranes demonstrated remarkable results, achieving removal of up to 99.1 per cent of dye pollutants from textile wastewater.”

The findings, published in the Chemical Engineering Journal, outline the development of a mixed matrix membrane system. This platform integrates a blend of polyethersulfone (PES) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymers with nanomaterials such as Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-67 (ZIF-67) and other metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The study also evaluated membranes enhanced with graphene oxide (GO) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) for comparative performance analysis.

Beyond effectively purifying wastewater, the membranes enable treated water to be reused in textile operations, reducing dependence on freshwater resources.

“Water recycling is essential for the long-term sustainability of textile industries, particularly in regions facing water scarcity,” Sridhar noted. “This innovation can support industries in complying with environmental regulations without imposing significant financial burdens.”

If widely implemented, the technology could substantially curb industrial pollution. Environmental experts highlight the importance of such practical solutions as India strives to balance economic growth with ecological stewardship. With potential for large-scale manufacturing and industry adoption, IICT’s nano fibre membranes may represent a transformative step in mitigating textile pollution, protecting groundwater reserves, and safeguarding public health.

“This achievement goes beyond laboratory research,” Sridhar added. “It offers a tangible, real-world solution.”