Carbon Nano-onions Research Articles

The use of ex-situ nitrogen-doped olive oil-derived carbon nano-onions for application in chemi-resistive gas sensors to detect acetone at room temperature

This study reports on the synthesis of carbon nano-onions (CNOs; ca. d < 55 nm) and nitrogen-doped CNOs (N-CNOs) using a facile pyrolysis method and ex-situ doping of the CNOs. Elemental analysis of the N-CNOs revealed that their nitrogen content depended on the ammonia flow rate. Analysis of the N-CNOs revealed that they all exhibited structural defects. After the successful synthesis of CNOs and N-CNOs, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP):CNOs/N-CNOs:MnO2-nanorods (MONRs) composites were prepared and used as active sensing materials. In every case, the PVP polymer was used to stabilize the MONRs for acetone detection at 25 °C. The chemi-resistive gas sensors that showed the highest acetone sensitivity (pS = 2.0 x 10-4 ppm-1) was fabricated using a pristine CNOs (pCNOs) based composite. However, the N-CNOs based sensor (a15S) presented the lowest acetone limit of detection (LoD) at 1.2 ppm. The study implicated the effect of the nitrogen and oxygen content of the CNOs surfaces on the acetone detection. Thus, a higher sensitivity with lower LoD was observed at room temperature using the pCNOs based sensor, when compared to earlier literature reports.

Magnetic coupling in cm-scale buckypapers of self-organized Fe/Fe3C-filled carbon nano-onions: A controlled chemical vapour deposition approach

We report the selective nucleation and growth of cm-scale thin buckypaper-films of carbon nano-onions (CNOs) filled with nanocrystalline Fe 3 C and α-Fe ferromagnetic phases. The presented result was achieved by sublimation and pyrolysis of 20 to 100 mg of ferrocene in an Ar flow of 10 ml/min under conditions of low-carbon-supply pyrolysis. The high reproducibility of the presented method opens-up new directions for industrial applications of these nanomaterials. We highlight the observation of an unusual D-band splitting, indicative of a defect-induced structural transition within the graphitic shells of the CNOs. The morphological and structural properties of the buckypapers were investigated by employing scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, TEM, HRTEM) together with X-ray diffraction (XRD). The magnetic properties were investigated by employing electron paramagnetic resonance (T-EPR) at T ~ 300 K, 200 K, 150 K, 100 K and 77 K in the field range from 0 to 500 mT. We highlight the presence of broad π-electron signals, with significant shift of the g-factor parameter as the temperature was decreased from T ~ 300 K to ~77 K. A possible coupling between the iron-based nanocrystal phases was found at T ~ 300 K, at g-factor ~ 20.

A Metal Coordination-Based Supramolecular Elastomer with Shape Memory-Assisted Self-Healing Effect.

Rubber materials are widely used in aerospace, automotive, smart devices and artificial skin. It is significant to address the aging susceptibility of conventional vulcanized rubber and to impart it rapid self-healing performance for destructive crack damage. Herein, a novel supramolecular rubber elastomer is prepared by introducing metal coordination between carboxyl-terminated polybutadiene and polystyrene-vinylpyridine copolymer. Based on the metal coordination interaction, the elastomer exhibits shape memory and self-healing properties. Moreover, a rapid closure-repair process of destructive cracks is achieved by presetting temporary shapes. This shape memory-assisted self-repair model is shown to be an effective means for rapid repair of severe cracks. An approach to enhance the mechanical and self-healing properties of elastomer was demonstrated by adding appropriate amounts of oxidized carbon nano-onions (O-CNO) into the system. The tensile strength of the elastomer with an O-CNOs content of 0.5 wt% was restored to 83 ± 10% of the original sample after being repaired at 85 °C for 6 h. This study confirms that metal coordination interaction is an effective method for designing shape memory self-healing rubber elastomer. The shape memory-assisted self-healing effect provides a reference for the rapid self-repairing of severe cracks.

Carbon Nanomaterial-Based Lubricants: Review of Recent Developments

This review article summarizes the progress of research on carbon nanomaterial-based lubricants witnessed in recent years. Carbon nanomaterials, such as graphene, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), fullerenes and carbon nanostructures, are at the center of current tribological research on attaining superior lubrication performance. The development of nanomaterial-based solid lubricants, lubricant additives and bulk materials and the related issues in their processing, characterization and applications as well as their tribological performance (coefficient of friction and wear rate) are listed in a structured tabulated form. Firstly, regarding nanomaterial-based solid lubricants, this study reveals that carbon nanomaterials such as graphite, graphene, graphene-based coatings and diamond-like carbon (DLC)-based coatings increase different tribological properties of solid lubricants. Secondly, this study summarizes the influence of graphene, carbon nanotubes, fullerene, carbon nanodiamonds, carbon nano-onions, carbon nanohorns and carbon spheres when they are used as an additive in lubricants. Thirdly, a structured tabulated overview is presented for the use of carbon nanomaterial-reinforced bulk material as lubricants, where graphene, carbon nanotubes and carbon nanodiamonds are used as reinforcement. Additionally, the lubricity mechanism and superlubricity of carbon nanomaterial-based lubricants is also discussed. The impact of carbon nanotubes and graphene on superlubricity is reviewed in detail. It is reported in the literature that graphene is the most prominent and widely used carbon nanomaterial in terms of all four regimes (solid lubricants, lubricating additives, bulk material reinforcement and superlubricity) for superior tribological properties. Furthermore, prospective challenges associated with lubricants based on carbon nanomaterials are identified along with future research directions.

Ultrasonic-assisted decoration of AuNPs on carbon nano-onions as robust electrochemical scaffold for sensing of carcinogenic hydrazine in industrial effluents

This paper describes the decoration of AuNPs on carbon nano-onions (CNO) followed by its fabrication on electrode surface for the sensitive determination of environmental pollutant hydrazine (HZ). A green ultrasonication approach was employed to decorate the AuNPs on CNOs and it follows electroless deposition. HR-TEM results reveal that spherical 10 nm-sized AuNPs were well dispersed on 30 nm-sized CNOs. The obtained 3.7 eV spin–orbit coupling in the XPS Au4f region suggests the successful decoration of Au(0) on CNO. The Au@CNO nanostructure was then directly attached on GC electrode surface by simple immersion and achieved through π–π stacking interaction and the resultant electrode exhibited high electroactive surface area and lower resistivity when compared to the CNO fabricated electrode. The Au@CNO electrode was utilized to determine HZ in effluent samples and delivered higher electrocatalytic activity by showing lower onset potential than the bare and CNO fabricated electrodes. The increased electroactive area and high electronic conductivity of Au@CNO nanostructure are attributed to the offered lowest detection limit of 12 × 10−9 M (S/N = 3) and larger sensitivity of 485.7 µA/mM cm−2. The green and environmentally benign approached Au@CNO nanostructure leads to their successful implementation in the determination of HZ in effluent samples.

Neutral red dye adsorption on carbon nano-onions: viability assay interference and adduct characterisation

Carbon nano-onions (CNO) are versatile carbon nanomaterials with many potential biomedical applications. In this work, the interaction of submerged arc discharge in water (SADW) produced CNOs with the neutral red (NR) dye was studied. This dye is used in the in vitro toxicity NR assay, one of the most commonly used dye-based procedures to determine cell viability. Firstly the NR assay was carried out in murine fibroblast cell cultures exposed to CNOs. It was demonstrated that this assay produced invalid results due to the strong adsorption of NR on the CNOs. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies confirmed the effective adsorption of the NR on CNOs and π-π stacking as the main interaction between them. The adsorption of NR on the CNOs was evaluated by studying the decrease of the dye solution absorbance. The influence of different experimental conditions such as pH and CNOs dosage was evaluated: absorbance was found to diminish with the CNO dosage. For the maximum dosage used of 240 μg ml−1, the highest absorbance drops of −85% at pH 7 and −78% at pH 4 were registered. The adsorption process was found to be described best by a pseudo-first order (PFO) kinetics model (R 2 = 0.99), with a kinetic adsorption constant of k 1 = 0.02 min−1 and achieving an estimated sorption capacity of 3866 mg of dye per gram of CNOs. This is one of the highest values ever reported for dyes’ adsorption on carbon materials. Lastly, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out to gain further insights into the interaction. These studies suggest a CNO highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)/NR lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) electron density transfer as the main orbital interaction.

Design and synthesis of highly efficient nitrogen-doped carbon nano-onions for asymmetric supercapacitors

The preparation of highly graphitic carbon materials encourages the synthesis of sustainable energy storage for fast charging power applications. In this consideration, at present work, porous nitrogen-doped carbon nano-onions (N-CNO) were prepared by a different strategic, simple, low-cost, one-step pyrolysis technique. The fabricated material was characterized by various physical and electroanalytical measurements. The D, G, and 2D bands from Raman and pyridinic-N, pyrrolic-N, graphitic-N, and pyridinic-N-O from the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the graphitic nature of the N-CNO material. The results of specific capacitance for the as-grown materials containing N-CNO at a current density of 1 A/g have achieved a specific capacitance of 234 F g− 1. Moreover, the retention of N-CNO after 5000 long charge/discharge was 98%. The utilizing voltages of the synthesized asymmetric devices were expanded to 1.6 V in 2 M KOH solution, providing a notable specific capacitance of 79 F g−1 and higher energy densities of 27.2 Wh kg−1 at 1 A g−1. Mainly, even at higher current densities (10 A/g) this device still holds higher power densities (7.5 kW kg−1) while keeping 12 Wh kg−1 energy densities. Nevertheless, the well-being asymmetric device explores notable electrochemical cycling stabilities and capacitance retention of 98% over 5000 at 8 A g−1. These values evident that N–CNO will have been utilized as a surrogate electrode source and a potential candidate in SCs with higher specifical energy/power densities.

Sustainable carbon nano-onions as an adsorbent for the efficient removal of oxo-anions.

The increasing threats of oxo-anions in drinking water have posed a serious threat to human health, aquatic environment, ecology, and sustainability. Accordingly, developments of cost-effective and sustainable nanomaterials for water remediation are on top priority and highly sought in global research community. Carbon nano-onions (CNOs) are one of the emerging nanomaterials for water purification because of its unique morphology, surface reactivity, high density of surface-active sites, and microporous structure. Herein, flaxseed oil-derived CNOs are utilized as efficient adsorbent for the removal of toxic oxo-anions. Aside from the green and economic nature, CNOs provide high adsorption efficiency ~ 806.45mgg-1 for the removal of [Formula: see text](99.9%) from aqueous system at ambient temperature, neutral pH in 70min. The adsorption of [Formula: see text]onto CNOs was well fitted in pseudo-second order kinetics and followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. The adsorption process was determined to be exothermic and spontaneous from the resulting thermodynamic characteristics. Furthermore, the high hydrophobic nature of CNOs make it recycling simpler. The real-life applicability of CNOs towards [Formula: see text]removal was tested in tap water, river water, and dam water. With all these observed results, CNOs show promise for practical water remediation applications.

Chain-like carbon nano-onions from candle flame combustion as a high-performance cathode for aluminum-air batteries

A positive air electrode capable of a high‑oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) from chain-like carbon nano-onions (CLCNOs) was synthesized directly onto the surface of nickel foam using candle flame combustion. The 50 s synthesis positive air electrode with a carbon loading of 0.49 mgcm−2 provides higher ORR catalytic capability than that of other time synthesizers in natural pH electrolytes. Increasing the cathode-to-anode ratio increases the cell voltage from 0.41 to 0.53 V, causing the specific capacity to reach 1108 mAhg−1. In addition, a positive air electrode can work continuously for 14 days, even after repeated use and replacement of new aluminum anodes several times.

Modular and Noncontact Wireless Detection Platform for Ovarian Cancer Markers: Electrochemiluminescent and Photoacoustic Dual-Signal Output Based on Multiresponse Carbon Nano-Onions.

An electrochemiluminescent (ECL)-photoacoustic (PA) dual-signal output biosensor based on the modular optimization and wireless nature of a bipolar electrode (BPE) was constructed. To further simplify the detection process, the BPE structure was designed as three separate units: anode ECL collection, cathode catalytic amplification, and intermediate functional sensing units. Specifically, the anode unit was placed with Eosin Yellow, a cheap and effective ECL reagent, and the cathode unit was a laser-induced polyoxometalate-graphene electrode, which was helpful to enhance the anode ECL signal. The intermediate functional sensing unit consisted of a temperature-sensitive conductive film. Further, using a carbon nano-onion nanocomposite with excellent absorption performance in the near-infrared region as a signal tag not only leads to changes in the electrical conductivity of the film through heat transfer and thus affects the ECL signal but also produces a strong PA response. With this design, PA and ECL signals can be output simultaneously. This work not only realizes multiple modularization processes in the design of sensors but also implements the diversification of signal output modes, which will enrich the joint research field of ECL detection technology and other new detection methods.

Combination of nano-onion-based dispersive solid phase extraction combined with deep eutectic solvent-based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for trace analysis of pesticides

Combination of carbon nano onions-based dispersive solid phase extraction with deep eutectic solvent-based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction was utilized for the extraction of some pesticides from fruit juice and vegetable samples. For this purpose, the carbon nano-onions were prepared from castor oil using a flame-assisted pyrolysis method. The nanoparticles were added into the sample solution containing the analytes to extract them. In the following, the analytes were concentrated into a few microliters of choline chloride: decanoic acid: catechol deep eutectic solvent using the microextraction procedure to obtain high enrichment factors. The results showed low limits of detection (0.5–1.0 ng/mL) and quantification (1.8–3.2 ng/mL) with a satisfactory linearity for three orders of magnitude (r2 > 0.994). The precision of the developed method expressed as relative standard deviations was good (≤6.9 %). The method provided high enrichment factors (335–430) and extraction recoveries (67–86 %). Finally, the selected pesticides were analyzed in two fruit juices and four vegetable samples successfully.

Hydrogen production by methane decomposition over Ni-doped activated carbons: effect of the activation method

Ni supported over activated carbon (AC) based on olive stones were tested for methane decomposition to produce hydrogen. Physical (by H 2 O) and chemical (by H 3 PO 4 ) activations were compared. Kinetic parameters of methane decomposition were determined depending on Ni load, methane partial pressure and reaction temperature. The catalysts were characterized before and after reaction by N 2 adsorption, X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The catalysts showed good initial activities that increased with temperature and nickel load, reactivity decreased with time. The reaction orders were 0.63 and 0.74 and the activation energies were 122 and 139 kJ/mol for physically and chemically activated carbon, respectively. BET surface areas and pore volumes decreased dramatically after reaction due to the deposit of carbon on the support. Ni stayed under its metallic form on the physically AC whereas it was mainly present as Ni 12 P 5 over the chemically activated one. TEM characterization revealed the formation of well-organized carbon nano-onions surrounding Ni particles on the physically activated carbon. Nano-onions were not formed around Ni 12 P 5 particles in the chemically activated carbon. The physical activation allowed the synthesis of catalysts with a better stability for methane conversion than what chemical activation would allow.

Supramolecular Functionalisation of B/N Co-Doped Carbon Nano-Onions for Novel Nanocarrier Systems.

Boron/nitrogen co-doped carbon nano-onions (BN-CNOs) are spherical nanoparticles that consist of multiple inter-nestled fullerene layers, giving them an onion-like internal structure. They have potential as nanocarriers due to their small size, aqueous dispersibility, and biocompatibility. The non-covalent attachment of a biocompatible polymer to BN-CNOs is a simple and effective method of creating a scaffold for a novel nanocarrier system as it allows for increased aqueous dispersibility whilst preventing the immune system from recognising the particle as a foreign object. The non-covalent approach also preserves the electronic and structural properties of the BN-CNOs. In this study, we attached a hyaluronic acid-phospholipid (HA-DMPE) conjugate polymer to the BN-CNO’s surface to improve its hydrophilicity and provide targetability toward HA-receptor overexpressing cancer cells. To this end, various ratios of HA-DMPE to BN-CNOs were investigated. The resulting supramolecular systems were characterised via UV-Vis absorption and FTIR spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and zeta potential techniques. It was found that the HA-DMPE conjugate polymer was permanently wrapped around the BN-CNO nanoparticle surface. Moreover, the resulting BN-CNO/HA-DMPE supramolecular systems displayed enhanced aqueous solubility compared to unfunctionalised BN-CNOs, with excellent long-term stability observed in aqueous dispersions.

A modified quick-easy-cheap-effective-rugged-and-safe method involving carbon nano-onions-based dispersive solid-phase extraction and dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction for pesticides from grapes.

A combination of modified quick easy cheap effective rugged and safe extraction approach with carbon nano-onions-based dispersive solid-phase extraction and dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction was developed for the extraction of several pesticides (diazinon, chlorpyrifos, tebuconazole, deltamethrin, permethrin, haloxyfop-methyl, penconazole, and cyhalothrin) from grape before their analysis by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection. In the extraction approach, an aliquot of grape sample is chopped and after separating its juice, the pesticides that remained in the refuse are extracted by the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe extraction method. The obtained acetonitrile phase is mixed with juice and the analytes are extracted by the carbon nano-onions-based dispersive solid-phase extraction. The analytes are concentrated using the microextraction procedure to obtain high enrichment factors. The results showed low limits of detection (0.5-1.6ng/g) and quantification (1.8-5.4ng/g) with satisfactory linearity of the calibration curves (determination coefficient, r2 ≥ 0.994). The precision of the developed method expressed as relative standard deviations was good (≤7.2%). The method provided high enrichment factors (350-410) and extraction recoveries (70-82%). Finally, seven grape samples were analyzed successfully.

Carbon Nano-onions as Saturable Absorbers for Pulsed Fiber Lasers

Carbon Nano-onions as Saturable Absorbers for Pulsed Fiber Lasers

Evolution of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of CNTs/Al-Mg Composites Prepared by Powder Metallurgy

In this research, 1 wt% carbon nanotubes/aluminum 5 wt% Mg (CNTs/Al-Mg) composites were fabricated using powder metallurgy and hot pressing method. Dislocation density increases and dislocation cell structure is formed in Al-Mg particles for the repeared flattening, cold welding, fracturing and rewelding during ball milling. The horizontal stirring high-energy ball milling method can uniformly disperse 1 wt% CNTs in Al-Mg matrix powders, and can form an effective composite interface bonding. Some parts of the carbon nanotubes are twisted to form carbon nanoonions. After 90 min of ball milling, the tensile strength of the composite material obtained by hot pressing reached the maximum value, which was 244 MPa, which was increased by 31% compared with the composite materials none milled.

Improved electrochemical performance of carbon nano-onions conductive additives for LiFePO4/C cathode material

Improved electrochemical performance of carbon nano-onions conductive additives for LiFePO4/C cathode material

An High Performance Carbon-Nano Onion Electrode for Vanadium Redox Flow Battery

The green energy transition is mandatory process. After the Glasgow COP 26 most of the major countries have defined a path to follow and milestones to reach by 2050. This process consists in the decarbonization process and utilization of renewable source for power and energy production. But renewable energies are intermittent and cannot fully guarantee the stability of the electrical grid. This limitation reflects in the necessity of an energy storage system which can be coupled with renewable energy for grid stabilization. For this task the redox flow batteries (RFB) seem to be the best solution thanks to their scalability, long life cycle and good coupling with renewable energy [Shigematsu, T. Sei technical review 73 (2011)]. RFB’s consists in a voltaic cell where the electrolytes are stored in tanks outside the system. Whilst the chemistries of the anodic and cathodic electrolytes define the energy density of a RFB system, its power density is determined primarily by its electrodes. These are typically porous carbon media on the surface of which the redox reaction occur. They are a critical component since it requires a delicate engineering of electrocatalytically active surface area, electron and mass transport. Still today, though, they remain together with the proton conducting membrane, the main cause of RFB low power density. Many authors dedicated to improve the reaction kinetic on the surface of the typical carbon fibers used in carbon felt and paper, yet only few reported remarkable results [Zhao, T.S. et al. Energy Storage Material 24, 529-540 (2020)]. In our work we propose a prototypal deposition method of high-throughput carbon allotropes known as carbon nano onion (CNO). By mean of this deposition technique and a vacuum annealing process, is possible to maximize the electrical conductivity and catalytic activity made by the hierarchical assembly of turbostratic CNO. The CNO kinetic properties has been tested by cyclic voltammetry in a three-electrode setup and with a rotating disk analysis. From the cyclic voltammetry performed at different scan rate, a net increasing catalytic activity has been observed in both the chemical reaction. At the negative site, which is known to be the limiting one, a separation peak of 80mV at 10mV/sec has been reported, giving a clear indication of quasi-reversibility reaction mechanism. Moreover, not a net hydrogen evolution can be appreciated. From the rotating disk analysis the calculation of the kinetic rate constant given a value within the same order of magnitude in literature, confirming the quasi-reversibility reaction kinetic. After the electrochemical film characterization, a thin CNO film (several microns) has been deposited over a Carbon Paper 39AA produced by Sigracet and used in a vanadium redox flow battery, VRFB. The adoption of the carbon paper instead of the more commercial graphite felt lean on the strategic decision to increase the current volume density while decreasing cell’s thickness. Moreover, the adoption of a thinner electrode helps the mass transport limiting the auxiliary power consumption and mass transport losses [Guarnieri, M. Journal of Power Sources 440 (2019)]. The deposited electrode has been tested with different deposition thicknesses and annealing temperatures in a symmetric cell to evaluate systematically the overpotentials of each configuration towards the V2+/V3+ and VO(2+)/VO2(+) reactions. The negative side, which is kinetically limited requires a thicker film to exploit all the active sites, while the positive side needs a thinner one for avoiding mass transport limitations. After symmetric cell test, a full cell test has been assembled. From charge/discharge curves, the system efficiencies have been calculated: a current density as high as 600mA/cm2 with 70.8% energy efficiency was obtained, with a peak current density of 1 A/cm2. These figures and the reduced thickness are calculated to allow a potential reduction to 1/10 in stack volume with respect the commercial benchmark graphite felt, while at the same time decreasing system costs to less than 150 $/kWh by diminishing materials costs directly connected with the aerial current density (i.e. membrane, current collectors, gaskets, etc.).

Novel bifunctional fillers (ATP/P–CNOs) for sulfonated poly(aryl ether sulfone) matrix for improved power output and durability of H2/O2 fuel cell at low humidity

The preparation of novel composite proton exchange membranes (PEMs) with homogeneous structures and efficient proton-conducting sites is of great importance for the development of PEM fuel cells. In this work, a double-filler of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and phosphorylated carbon nano-onions (P–CNOs) is incorporated into sulfonated poly(aryl ether sulfone) (SPAES) by simple solution mixing to design a bionic proton-conduction pathways for high-performance PEMs. A series of uniformly distributed, dense and flexible SPAES/ATP/P–CNOs membranes are prepared and characterized for their membrane morphology, water uptake, dimensional stability, electrochemical properties and durability. Both the ATP and P–CNOs fillers can provide abundant proton conducting sites through hydrogen-bonding networks and acid-base pairs, thus improving the membrane stability and proton conductivity. Thanks to the formation of ionic interaction between ATP/P–CNOs and their interaction with SPAES substrates, the composite membranes demonstrate higher ATP retention, better dimensional-mechanical-chemical stability, higher proton conductivity and power output than the pristine and single-filler SPAES membranes. The SPAES/ATP/P–CNOs-2 membrane displays high proton conductivity (196 mS/cm at 90 °C in water and 33 mS/cm at 80 °C/51% relative humidity, RH) and power output (752 mW/cm2 at 80 °C/100% RH and 302 mW/cm2 at 80 °C/50% RH) in a H2/O2 fuel cell. It also experiences the minimal cell performance loss and lowest hydrogen crossover during 6 days of operation at 60% RH. The proposed ATP/P–CNOs channel approach can provide a reference for the development of multi-component composite high-efficiency PEMs for fuel cells.

Microplastics and Heavy Metals Removal from Fresh Water and Wastewater Systems Using a Membrane

Water pollution, resulting from the degradation of plastics into microplastics, exposes humans and other living organisms to contaminated drinking water. Microplastics are capable of adsorbing toxic heavy metals which are carcinogenic and may affect the reproductive functions of living organisms. Hence, this study focuses on the characterization and quantification of microplastics in water to raise the awareness and propose a method of dealing with this emerging pollutant in various aqueous environments. The microplastics were separated from water using polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) and PVDF modified with carbon nano-onions (CNOs). The PVDF exhibited the highest concentration of microplastics in the wastewater influent (140 ± 1.85 MP/L) compared to the effluent (8.8 ± 2.10 MP/L), tap water (6.5 ± 5.77 MP/L), and lake water (10 ± 2.65 MP/L). The stereo microscope displayed red, blue, and black colored plastics. The morphological properties were determined using SEM. ATR-FTIR, equipped with Spectrum 10 Spectroscopy Software was used to establish the presence of high-density polyethylene (50%), poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate) (16.6%), nylon 12 (16.6%), and cellulose (16.6%) in the influent. The quantification of heavy metals extracted from the microplastics indicated that the concentrations of As (1.759 to 8.699 mg/L), Cu (83.176 mg/L) and Zn (0.610 mg/L) were above the acceptable limits. Our work is beneficial for the development of a microplastics monitoring protocol for various municipalities. Water treatment plants may also include the treatment of microplastics in the influent and monitor the effluent before the water is released back into the environment.