Advanced hybrid materials for direct potable reuse as alternatives to activated carbon for removal of contaminants of emerging concern

• Grant number: 21/08123-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: April 01, 2022
• End date: March 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Analytical Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Susanne Rath
• Grantee: Vinicíus Diniz
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 22/11350-1 - Investigating the viability of photoactive and antimicrobial nanomaterials for water purification, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

The Reuse Water Production Station (Estação de Produção de Água de Reuso (EPAR CAPIVARI II)) in Campinas, SP, operates with a Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) and has the capactity to produce non-potable reuse water. EPAR is equipped with a pilot station composed by different polishing techniques, which allows assays with multiple barriers to remove the contaminants of interest. Among the polishing techniques installed at EPAR, activated carbon allows an easy application, low cost and the possibility of using various carbon-based materials for its production, including fewer noble ones. Furthermore, when compared to other polishing techniques, such as advanced oxidation processes, the adsorption does not lead to the formation of undesirable by-products, which may induce greater toxicity than the original compound. In previous work, our group screened the EPAR effluent, selecting marker molecules (recalcitrant compounds), such as caffeine, hydrochlorothiazide, saccharin, sucralose, sulfamethoxazole. The objective of this project is to evaluate different adsorbent materials (different activated carbons) and the activated carbon as support material for titanium dioxide particles, aiming at the simultaneous degradation and removal of recalcitrant compounds in the EPAR. The adsorbent materials will be characterized, and laboratory-scale studies will be carried out to elucidate the kinetics, adsorption capacity (isotherms) and adsorption mechanisms. Adsorption will also be evaluated by fixed bed columns designed based on the "Rapid Small Scale Column Test" method. After understanding the adsorption process, experiments will be carried out at the EPAR pilot station and the removal of recalcitrant compounds, antimicrobial activity, estrogenic activity, among other potability parameters will be evaluated to verify the potential for production of reused drinking water. The quantification of recalcitrant compounds will be performed by two-dimensional liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry. (AU)

Scientific publications

(6)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

DINIZ, VINICIUS; RATH, SUSANNE. Adsorption of aqueous phase contaminants of emerging concern by activated carbon: Comparative fixed-bed column study and in situ regeneration methods. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS, v. 459, p. 12-pg., 2023-10-05. (14/50951-4, 21/08123-0)

DINIZ, VINICIUS; PUGNO, NICOLA M.; RATH, SUSANNE; CRICK, COLIN R.. The Fabrication of Fluorine-Free Stretchable Superhydrophobic Films Using Inverse Vulcanization Sulfur Polymer. ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES, v. N/A, p. 9-pg., 2025-01-16. (21/08123-0, 22/11350-1)

DINIZ, VINICIUS; MOHAMUD, ABDIRAHMAN; RAHMAN, FARDIN TEEN; RANA, HIBAH TARIQ; OGUNWOOLU, NIMOTA ANJOLAADE; CRICK, COLIN R.. Inverse vulcanized sulfur polymers: A greener and cost-effective alternative to conventional polymers - A cradle-to-gate life cycle analysis. JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION, v. 524, p. 14-pg., 2025-09-02. (22/11350-1, 21/08123-0)

HIROOKA KOSHIGOE, AMANDA SATI; DINIZ, VINICIUS; RODRIGUES-SILVA, CAIO; FERNANDES CUNHA, DAVI GASPARINI. Effect of three commercial algaecides on cyanobacteria and microcystin-LR: implications for drinking water treatment using activated carbon. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, v. N/A, p. 14-pg., 2022-09-30. (21/08123-0)

DINIZ, VINICIUS; CUNHA, DAVI GASPARINI FERNANDES; RATH, SUSANNE. Adsorption of recalcitrant contaminants of emerging concern onto activated carbon: A laboratory and pilot-scale study. Journal of Environmental Management, v. 325, p. 12-pg., 2023-01-01. (21/08123-0, 14/50951-4)

DINIZ, VINICIUS; RATH, SUSANNE; CRICK, COLIN R.. Optimizing Superhydrophobic Coatings: The Role of Catalysts, Additives, and Composition on UV and Thermal Stability of Inverse Vulcanization Polymers. ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS, v. 7, n. 2, p. 6-pg., 2025-01-06. (21/08123-0, 22/11350-1)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

DINIZ, Vinicíus. Materiais híbridos avançados para reuso potável direto como alternativas ao carvão ativado para a remoção de contaminantes emergentes. 2025. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Química Campinas, SP.