PRODUCTION OF BIOCHAR-NANOCELLULOSE MEMBRANES FOR REMOVAL OF EMERGENT CONTAMINANTS IN WASTEWATER

• Grant number: 25/07031-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: July 21, 2025
• End date: January 15, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Analytical Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Ailton Jose Moreira
• Grantee: Raissa Gomes Braga
• Supervisor: Justin Zoppe
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Universitat Politècnica De Catalunya, Campus De Terrassa, Spain
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/18399-9 - New sustainable adsorbents for environmental remediation of emerging contaminants in water and effluents, BP.MS

Abstract

This project aims to develop biochar-nanocellulose (BC-NC) composite membranes for the adsorption of emerging contaminants in wastewater. Biochar derived from sewage sludge and produced over the 1.5 years of the project in development in Brazil, has shown effectiveness in adsorbing a mixture of 6 emerging contaminants in effluents. Incorporating BC in nanocellulose seeks to enhance the adsorptive capacity due to the functional groups of the nanocellulose, as well as providing reusability of the material in a greater number of application cycles. In the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) and under supervision of Dr. Justin Zoppe, the mass proportion of biochar-nanocellulose, dispersion techniques of the BC in the cellulose matrix, polymerization techniques, as well as its porosity, mechanical resistance and stability will be investigated. The materials with the optimized characteristics will be used in adsorption studies that will evaluate membrane performance in continuous flow systems, analyzing factors such as contaminant selectivity, antifouling capability, stability the chemical and thermal conditions, and adsorption mechanisms. With the incorporation of BC in nanocellulose, it is expected to enhance membrane efficiency, providing improved properties for future studies of application in pilot scale in Gavião Peixoto city, São Paulo, Brazil. The project aligns with global sustainability goals, offering an innovative solution for wastewater treatment while promoting waste reutilization.