Cellulose-based pickering foams for BFA remediation

• Grant number: 23/14664-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: June 01, 2024
• End date: February 28, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Denise Freitas Siqueira Petri
• Grantee: Mário André Brito Seixas Nunes
• Supervisor: Orlando Jose Rojas Gaona
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of British Columbia, Vancouver (UBC), Canada
• Associated to the scholarship: 21/07305-8 - Removal of organic and metallic residues through external magnetic field assisted adsorption using sugarcane bagasse bioadsorbents and polydopamine containing magnetic graphene oxide, BP.PD

Abstract

The main goal is to explore the potential utility of cellulose-based foam as a promising adsorbent for wastewater treatment, with a specific focus on the removal of Bisphenol-A (BFA). The intention is to achieve this by creating highly porous foams through surface tension adjustment of the continuous phase, increasing the hydrophobicity of cellulose nanofibrils using an ethanol solution. Bentonite organophilization will play a crucial role in stabilizing the Pickering foams, serving as a foaming agent. The investigation will encompass the analysis of foam stability mechanisms, rheological properties, porous structure, and the impact of various adsorption process parameters. By combining hydrophilic fibrillated cellulose with organophilic bentonite the production of lightweight and exceptionally stable Pickering foams is anticipated.