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2025 | Kazakhstan | Water issue adressed: Too dirty

New Sorbent-Enhanced Needle Trap Device for VOC Detection in Water

In our project, we present a novel method for detecting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in water using a Needle Trap Device (NTD) filled with a recently developed metal-organic framework sorbent (MOF), ZnMOF-74. VOCs, even at low concentrations, pose serious health and environmental risks. Omnipresent in rivers, near factories, and in tap water, exposure may lead to liver complications, lung disease, and cancer. The ZnMOF-74 sorbent demonstrated high reusability, sensitivity, and reproducibility in capturing VOCs such as isoprene, acetone, benzene, and p-xylene. Compared to conventional methods, this approach offers improved detection limits and environmental compatibility. The findings highlight the potential of MOFs as sorbent materials for the extraction of harmful chemicals and contribute to creating a safer aquatic environment.

This is how I came up with the idea for this project:

Kazakhstan, after rapid factory development in the 1940s, faced the threats of industrialization, including large waste emissions. Reviewing literature, we realised volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were among the most prominent and yet poorly controlled water pollutants. We decided to contribute to the first step of tackling the issue - detection.

CONTACT WATERTANK
Ania Andersch
Programme manager
+46 8 121 360 59

Documentation

New Sorbent-Enhanced Needle Trap Device for VOC Detection in Water In our study, we conducted the synthesis of a new sorbent material for use in a needle trap device to detect volatile organic compounds (VOC) in aqueous media. This research proved high sensitivity and reusability of the developed solution. The outcomes enable better VOC industrial pollution control to prevent harm to public health and environmental safety.