This method will be able to purify water from oil, pesticides and microplastics.

German scientists from the University of Erlangen have developed an innovative method of water purification using iron oxide nanoparticles called “smart rust”.

These nanoparticles attract contaminants in water and are easily removed with a magnet. Research has shown that smart rust successfully removes oil, pesticides, microplastics and estrogen hormones from water, which is important for the ecosystem.

Scientists have been working to create an environmentally friendly and cheap way to purify water by selecting iron oxide nanoparticles in a superparamagnetic form. They modified these particles by adding phosphonic acid molecules, allowing them to effectively attract different types of pollutants in water, Science Daily reports.

They were also able to raise awareness of the issue of removing hormones, especially estrogens, from water, which is important for maintaining ecosystem and human health.

Further research will be aimed at confirming the effectiveness of “smart rust” on real water samples and determining the possibility of reusable use of nanoparticles to minimize the cost of the cleaning method.