Development of porous fibroin membranes and application as a potential adsorbent for removal of heavy metals

• Grant number: 22/16175-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: May 02, 2023
• End date: July 01, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Mariana Agostini de Moraes
• Grantee: Gabriel Yoshiaki Ottaiano
• Supervisor: Caroline Bertagnolli
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas (ICAQF). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Diadema. Diadema , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Université de Strasbourg, France
• Associated to the scholarship: 21/14018-5 - Development of porous fibroin membranes and application as a potential adsorbent for removal of organic and inorganic pollutants, BP.MS

Abstract

The removal of heavy metals from water is increasingly studied and researched around the world, with a focus on green and sustainable treatment processes. Adsorption is a treatment technique where the pollutant compounds are retained on the surface of the adsorbent material. Fibroin is a protein extracted from the silkworm cocoon that presents excellent biodegradability properties and adsorption capacity, representing a potential green adsorbent for various pollutants. In this work, we aim to study the use of porous fibroin membranes to adsorb pollutant compounds such as dyes and heavy metals. In this BEPE period of two months, it is intended to study the adsorption of heavy metals on fibroin membranes. With the membranes previously prepared, experiments will be performed in batch for the adsorption of copper, chromium and lead ions. Mono-component and then multi-component tests will be performed to verify the capacity and selectivity in the adsorption of different metals. It is expected that the results will be positive and that the developed membranes will be capable of removing heavy metals from the effluents with removal as good or better than seen in the literature. (AU)