--- title: "Functional Coatings Improve Microplastic Removal from Wastewater" id: "12352" type: "post" slug: "functional-coatings-improve-microplastic-removal-from-wastewater" published_at: "2026-10-21T13:39:47+00:00" modified_at: "2026-10-13T20:41:14+00:00" url: "https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/10/functional-coatings-improve-microplastic-removal-from-wastewater-012352/" markdown_url: "https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/10/functional-coatings-improve-microplastic-removal-from-wastewater-012352.md" excerpt: "Functional polymer coatings can improve microplastic removal from wastewater by enhancing particle capture, membrane performance, and selective filtration." taxonomy_category: - "Building & Construction" - "Composites" - "Decorating & Coatings" - "Editor's Choice Technical Paper" - "Education & Training" - "Elastomers" - "Energy Generation" - "Industry" - "Materials" - "Microplastics" - "People" - "Process" - "Resins" - "Silicones" - "Sustainability" - "Thermoplastics" - "Trending" taxonomy_post_tag: - "advanced wastewater treatment" - "functional coatings" - "membrane coatings" - "microplastic removal technologies" - "microplastics in wastewater" - "molecularly imprinted polymers" - "nanocellulose" - "polymer coatings" - "wastewater filtration" - "wastewater treatment" --- [Home](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/) » [News](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/news/) » [Trending](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/c/trending/) » [Microplastics](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/c/trending/microplastics/) » Functional Coatings Improve Microplastic Removal from Wastewater # Functional Coatings Improve Microplastic Removal from Wastewater Functional coatings can help wastewater treatment technologies remove microplastics more effectively. ### Functional polymer coatings can improve microplastic removal from wastewater by enhancing particle capture, membrane performance, and selective filtration. Ranging from 1 µm to 5 mm, microplastics enter wastewater from both primary and secondary sources. Secondary microplastics include debris broken by mechanical abrasion, ultraviolet light, and biological degradation. For example, fishing nets degrade into smaller fibers in the ocean. In wastewater treatment plants, methods such as primary sedimentation and secondary biological treatments capture 50-90% of microplastics. Nevertheless, these processes often cannot capture small microplastics (<100 µm). **You can also read:** [Bio-Based Media for Micro- and Nanoplastics Removal](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/01/bio-based-media-for-micro-and-nanoplastics-removal-010542/) Furthermore, microplastics bound in wastewater treatment sludge can pose environmental risks when the sludge is reused in land applications. Traditional wastewater treatment does not remove all microplastics from water. Estimated percentages of microplastics present during treatment are shown in red font. Figure courtesy of [Microplastics in Wastewater Treatment Plants: Characteristics, Occurrence and Removal Technologies.](https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/16/24/3574) ## Functional Coatings for Microplastic Removal Research shows that functional coatings and polymeric materials can [improve microplastic removal in wastewater treatment](https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/revce-2025-0062/html#j_revce-2025-0062_ref_015) . Some examples include: - **Hydrophilic coatings:** decrease membrane fouling and increase adherence by microplastics - **Charged polymeric coatings:** electrostatically attract microplastics - **Nanocellulose:**[hygroscopic nature and electrical charge](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773223124000104?via%3Dihub) capture and entrap microplastics Surface engineering can improve existing treatment systems, such as disk filters and sand filters. Polymeric coatings enhance particle adhesion, control surface roughness, and promote hydrophobic or electrostatic forces. Incorporating polymeric coatings into existing infrastructure has proven effective at scale. A [2020 study in South Korea](https://pubs.acs.org/esthag/article-abstract/54/3/1503/505760/National-Reconnaissance-Survey-of-Microplastics-in?redirectedFrom=fulltext) used advanced coating-assisted treatment processes to achieve over 98% removal of microplastic discharge. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) also offer selective microplastic removal from complex wastewater matrices. These polymers act similarly to synthetic antibodies. With cavities tailored for specific microplastic shapes or chemical structures, MIPs can selectively capture target microplastics. ## Advanced Treatment Methods Recent research is advancing the capabilities of functional coatings. Hybrid technologies that integrate materials science and engineered processes offer capabilities beyond physical removal alone. For example, artificial intelligence-enabled models aid coating design by forecasting cross-linker ratios. With minimal trial and error, researchers can optimize coating formulations for enhanced durability and adhesion. Coatings using self-healing polyurethane vitrimers with dynamic transesterification networks can repair themselves autonomously. When combined with pH-sensitive dyes or aggregation-induced emission luminogens, researchers can monitor coating integrity. AOPs chemically degrade microplastics using highly reactive species and are an example of biological wastewater treatment. Figure courtesy of [Recent Advances in Microplastics Removal from Water with Special Attention Given to Photocatalytic Degradation: Review of Scientific Research.](https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8929/2/3/23) ## Challenges and Future Outlooks Effective polymer coatings can decrease the amount of microplastics released into the environment after wastewater treatment. Cost, coating durability, and sustainability are just a few considerations for integrating coatings into wastewater treatment systems. At scale, [pilot studies in Sweden and Singapore](https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/development-co-operation-and-the-elimination-of-plastic-pollution_96803ffc-en.html) have shown promising results. Membrane-based systems using regenerable coatings proved to be as cost-effective as traditional methods after three to five years. By **[Julienne Smith](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/author/juliennesmith/)** | October 21, 2026 ##### [Julienne Smith](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/author/juliennesmith/) [+ postsBio ⮌](#) Having studied Geology, Julienne Smith focuses on environmentalism, sustainability, and the policies that impact plastics professionals today. As a technical writer, she is passionate about the intersection of science, technology, and communication. In her free time, she loves learning new things and writing fiction. - Julienne Smith [PFAS Compliance Uncertainty Grows for Medical Device Makers](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/10/pfas-compliance-uncertainty-grows-for-medical-device-makers-012450/) - Julienne Smith [SPE Microplastics Forum Will Bring Plastics Experts to Baltimore](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/10/spe-microplastics-forum-will-bring-plastics-experts-to-baltimore-012299/) - Julienne Smith [Catalytic Pathways Target Chemical Circularity for Polyolefins](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/09/catalytic-pathways-target-chemical-circularity-for-polyolefins-012015/) - Julienne Smith [Thermoplastic Polyurethane Foams for Wearable Electronics](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/09/thermoplastic-polyurethane-foams-for-wearable-electronics-012011/) ### Other posts you could read [September 28, 2026Why Halogen-Free Flame Retardants Still Challenge Compounders](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/09/why-halogen-free-flame-retardants-still-challenge-compounders-012160/) [October 7, 2026Polymeric Membranes Improve Gas Separation in Oil and Gas](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/10/polymeric-membranes-improve-gas-separation-in-oil-and-gas-012224/) [October 5, 2026SPE Microplastics Forum Will Bring Plastics Experts to Baltimore](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/10/spe-microplastics-forum-will-bring-plastics-experts-to-baltimore-012299/) [September 22, 2026Chemical Safety in Plastics 2026 Tackles PFAS Reformulation](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/09/chemical-safety-in-plastics-2026-tackles-pfas-reformulation-012145/) [September 30, 2026Thermoplastic Vulcanizates Expand Rubber Processing Options](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/09/thermoplastic-vulcanizates-expand-rubber-processing-options-012208/) [October 1, 2026Active Biopolymer Films Target Food Oxidation and Spoilage](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/10/active-biopolymer-films-target-food-oxidation-and-spoilage-012217/) [October 16, 2026Bio-Based Additives Face a Cost Premium Problem](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/10/bio-based-additives-face-a-cost-premium-problem-012306/) [October 13, 2026Composites Growth Faces a Lightweighting Cost Barrier](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/10/composites-growth-faces-a-lightweighting-cost-barrier-012285/) ## Share Your Thoughts [Cancel reply](/2026/10/functional-coatings-improve-microplastic-removal-from-wastewater-012352/#respond) - [https://twitter.com/share?url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=12352&text=Functional+Coatings+Improve+Microplastic+Removal+from+Wastewater&via=Plastics_Mag](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=12352&text=Functional+Coatings+Improve+Microplastic+Removal+from+Wastewater&via=Plastics_Mag) - [https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=12352&t=Functional+Coatings+Improve+Microplastic+Removal+from+Wastewater](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=12352&t=Functional+Coatings+Improve+Microplastic+Removal+from+Wastewater) - [https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=12352&title=Functional%20Coatings%20Improve%20Microplastic%20Removal%20from%20Wastewater&summary=Functional+polymer+coatings+can+improve+microplastic+removal+from+wastewater+by+enhancing+particle+capture%2C+membrane+performance%2C+and+selective+filtration.&source=Plastics+Engineering](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=12352&title=Functional%20Coatings%20Improve%20Microplastic%20Removal%20from%20Wastewater&summary=Functional+polymer+coatings+can+improve+microplastic+removal+from+wastewater+by+enhancing+particle+capture%2C+membrane+performance%2C+and+selective+filtration.&source=Plastics+Engineering) - [https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=12352&title=Functional+Coatings+Improve+Microplastic+Removal+from+Wastewater](https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=12352&title=Functional+Coatings+Improve+Microplastic+Removal+from+Wastewater) - [/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#407f3335222a2523347d102c21333429233360052e27292e252532292e27606d6006352e2334292f2e212c60032f2134292e273360092d30322f3625600d2923322f302c21333429236012252d2f36212c6026322f2d601721333425372134253266222f24397d28343430337a6f6f3737376e302c213334292333252e27292e252532292e276e2f32276f7f307d7172737572](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#407f3335222a2523347d102c21333429233360052e27292e252532292e27606d6006352e2334292f2e212c60032f2134292e273360092d30322f3625600d2923322f302c21333429236012252d2f36212c6026322f2d601721333425372134253266222f24397d28343430337a6f6f3737376e302c213334292333252e27292e252532292e276e2f32276f7f307d7172737572) - [#comments](#comments)