Eucalyptus bark, usually stripped from logs and treated as waste, could be repurposed to help clean polluted water, filter dirty air and capture carbon dioxide, according to new research from RMIT University.
Researchers at RMIT have shown the bark can be converted into a highly porous form of carbon that traps pollutants as water or air flows through it. The findings point to a practical way of turning a common forestry by‑product into a useful environmental material using a relatively simple processing method.
Turning waste into a filter
Porous carbon materials are already widely used in water filters, air purifiers and industrial gas treatment systems. Their effectiveness comes from their structure rather than the source material itself.
These materials contain a network of microscopic pores. As air or water passes through, unwanted molecules are captured and held within the tiny spaces.
PhD researcher Pallavi Saini, who led much of the experimental work, said the performance of eucalyptus bark was unexpected.
"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," Saini said.
"It highlights how overlooked biomass can be transformed into something useful."
In the study, the researchers used a relatively simple, one‑step activation process to produce porous carbon from eucalyptus bark. While similar approaches have been explored using other biomass sources, many porous carbons are still produced through more complex, multi‑stage routes that require additional energy and infrastructure.
Distinguished Professor Suresh Bhargava AM (right) with colleagues Dr Deshetti Jampaiah (left) and PhD researcher Pallavi Saini (centre) in an RMIT University laboratory. Credit: Will Wright, RMIT University Why eucalyptus bark?
Plant-waste based carbons are being studied worldwide using feedstocks ranging from agricultural residues to forestry and industrial waste. These materials are typically assessed based on availability, sustainability, processing complexity and performance.
Dr Deshetti Jampaiah said eucalyptus bark compared favourably on several of these measures, particularly in Australia.
"The strength of this approach lies in its simplicity," Jampaiah said.
"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 is home to more than 900 species of eucalypt and related trees. As a next step, the researchers plan to work with Indigenous people and organisations with deep knowledge of eucalyptus species to help identify which species may be best suited for this type of application.
The team says there is potential to further optimise the material by understanding species‑specific chemical and structural characteristics, guided by both scientific analysis and long‑standing ecological knowledge. Any future work would be undertaken through genuine, respectful collaboration.
Because the bark comes from existing forestry operations, it does not compete with food production and aligns with circular‑economy and waste‑reduction goals.
PhD researcher Pallavi Saini holds a sample of eucalyptus bark during laboratory analysis at RMIT University. Credit: Will Wright, RMIT University Potential uses
Materials like this are already being explored internationally for a range of environmental applications. In time, eucalyptus bark‑derived porous carbon could potentially support:
- water purification, including treatment of contaminated groundwater and wastewater
- air and industrial gas filtration
- point‑of‑use filtration systems in regional and remote communities
- carbon dioxide capture, where pore structure, regeneration and material cost are critical considerations
Any real‑world use would depend on further work to assess durability, regeneration, scale‑up and performance in operating systems.
Dr Deshetti Jampaiah, PhD researcher Pallavi Saini and Distinguished Professor Suresh Bhargava AM examine a eucalyptus bark sample during laboratory testing at RMIT University. Credit: Will Wright, RMIT University Distinguished Professor Suresh Bhargava AM said the research demonstrated how waste materials could be re‑imagined as part of environmental solutions.
"This work shows how eucalyptus bark can be transformed into materials that support cleaner water, cleaner air and carbon capture," said Bhargava, Director of the Centre for Advanced Materials and Industrial Chemistry (CAMIC) at RMIT.
"At CAMIC, we combine circular‑economy innovation with real societal impact, while mentoring the next generation of researchers to ensure the work remains purposeful."
'Sustainable valorisation of eucalyptus bark waste into microporous carbon materials for efficient CO₂ capture' is published in the international journal Biomass and Bioenergy (DOI: 10.1016/j.biombioe.2026.109242).
