Sulphur to saviour: IIT-Bhilai develops polymer from toxic waste that can sponge 80% pollutants from water

Raipur: In a significant scientific breakthrough with major implications for India's clean water mission, a research team at IIT Bhilai has developed a sustainable polymer technology that transforms toxic industrial sulfur waste into advanced materials capable of removing hazardous pollutants from water. The work, led by researchers Bhanendra Sahu, Sudipta Paul, Priyank Sinha and Dr Sanjib Banerjee, uses a metal-free, eco-friendly polymerisation process to convert low-value sulfur waste into sulfur dots (S-dots), which act as green photocatalysts for next-generation smart polymers with strong water-purification abilities.The study has been published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition, underscoring its impact in materials chemistry and environmental science. Industrial sulfur waste from petroleum refining, coal processing and chemical manufacturing is a major disposal challenge; the IIT Bhilai team's approach upcycles this waste into high-value catalysts for pollution control.Using S-dots, the researchers synthesised multi-arm star polymers that self-assemble into nanoscale spherical structures, working like microscopic sponges that selectively absorb hazardous hydrophobic pollutants such as industrial dyes, pesticide residues and oil-based contaminants. Lab tests showed the material removed over 80% of hydrophobic pollutants from contaminated water, indicating strong potential for wastewater treatment in industrial regions.Dr Banerjee said the team is effectively turning industrial waste into a clean catalyst and then into smart polymers that purify water, creating a circular solution that both manages a difficult waste stream and generates critical materials for restoring polluted water bodies. The breakthrough aligns with national priorities like Jal Jeevan Mission, river rejuvenation projects and broader sustainability goals, and could significantly strengthen wastewater treatment, river cleanup and environmental restoration efforts as water pollution rises across India. With water pollution rising across India—particularly in regions affected by industrial effluents and agricultural runoff—the IIT Bhilai-developed polymer platform could significantly strengthen wastewater treatment, river cleanup, and environmental restoration initiatives.The IIT Bhilai group is now exploring scale-up pathways and integration into real-world treatment systems, positioning this polymer platform as a potential game-changer in India's fight against water pollution.

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