Researchers have turned eucalyptus tree bark, often treated as waste, into a porous carbon material that can help clean water, filter air and capture carbon dioxide. The work offers a simple way to convert a low-value forestry by-product into a functional environmental material.

A team at RMIT University showed that eucalyptus bark can be processed into a highly porous carbon using a one-step activation method. The resulting material contains a network of microscopic pores that trap pollutants as air or water passes through.

Porous carbon materials are already used in filtration and gas treatment systems, but they are often produced through complex, multi-stage processes. The new method simplifies production while delivering strong adsorption performance.

The material’s performance depends on its pore structure, which determines how effectively it captures contaminants. Researchers say fine-tuning this structure could improve efficiency across different uses, from filtering polluted water to capturing gases in industrial and environmental settings.

The researchers say this shows performance depends less on the raw material and more on how it is engineered, making eucalyptus bark a practical and scalable alternative feedstock.

Waste turned useful filter

PhD researcher Pallavi Saini, who led much of the experimental work, said, “It is usually treated as low-value waste, but with a simple process we were able to convert it into a highly porous material with strong adsorption performance.”

“It highlights how overlooked biomass can be transformed into something useful.”

The team used a one-step activation process to convert the bark into porous carbon. Compared to traditional approaches, this method reduces the need for additional energy, infrastructure and processing steps.

Plant-based carbon materials are being studied globally using agricultural and industrial waste, but the researchers say eucalyptus bark stands out due to its availability and performance, especially in Australia.

Simple process, real impact

Dr Deshetti Jampaiah said, “The strength of this approach lies in its simplicity.”

“We are converting a widely available waste material into a functional carbon with promising performance, without relying on complex processing steps. That makes it highly relevant for real-world environmental applications.”

Australia has more than 900 species of eucalypt and related trees, providing a large and consistent source of raw material. Because the bark comes from existing forestry operations, it does not compete with food production and aligns with circular economy goals.

The researchers say the material could be used in water purification systems, including treatment of contaminated groundwater and wastewater, as well as air and industrial gas filtration. It could also support point-of-use filtration systems in remote areas and play a role in carbon dioxide capture.

Further work is needed to test durability, regeneration and large-scale performance before commercial deployment. The team also plans to collaborate with Indigenous communities to identify species best suited for this application.

Distinguished Professor Suresh Bhargava said, “This work shows how eucalyptus bark can be transformed into materials that support cleaner water, cleaner air and carbon capture.”

The study was published in Biomass and Bioenergy.