Sustainable starch-microcellulose composite hydrogels for efficient removal of heavy metals from water

Author(s)

da Costa, Talles B. ; Camani, Paulo H. ; Ferreira, Rafaela R. ; Souza, Alana G. ; Vieira, Melissa G. A. ; Rosa, Derval dos S.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules; v. 317, p. 16-pg., 2025-06-01.

Abstract

This work investigates the development of sustainable composite hydrogels based on corn starch and microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) derived from eucalyptus sawdust for the removal of copper from aqueous environments. The incorporation of MFC into the starch matrix reduced solubility from 55.2 % to 36.4 %, increased true density from 1.466 to 1.525 g/cm(3), and decreased surface area with increasing MFC content (from 4.010 to 1.814 m(2)/g). The MFC presented the following metallic affinity order: Cu2+ > Mn3+ > Ni2+ > Zn2+ > Cd2+ > Cr6+. Adsorption experiments showed enhanced Cu2+ removal with increasing MFC content, with the Starch/MFC-5 % hydrogel achieving a maximum removal efficiency of 52.4 % and sorption capacity of 0.258 mmol/g. Langmuir isotherms provided the best fit to the equilibrium data (R-2 = 0.998), and the Dubinin-Radushkevich analysis indicated a shift from physisorption (E = 2.42 kJ/mol) to chemisorption (E = 8.11 kJ/mol). Kinetics equilibrium time was reached between 480 and 780 min, with best description by pseudo second-order model. The reuse of hydrogel was achieved for up to four sorption/desorption cycles. The mechanisms of Cu2+ sorption involved interactions with the functional groups present on the materials and cation exchange. These results confirm that starch/MFC hydrogels are promising, low-cost, and biodegradable materials for the efficient removal of metal ions from contaminated water. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 23/11783-8 - Composite starch hydrogels for sorption of potentially toxic elements in contaminated water: synergistic interaction between selective ligands in modified nanocellulose
• Grantee: Talles Barcelos da Costa
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• FAPESP's process: 19/16301-6 - Starch aerogels containing modified nanocellullose for removal of heavy metals in wastewater from the industry sector
• Grantee: Paulo Henrique Camani
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 21/08296-2 - Development of chitosan hydrogels containing modified cellulose nanostructures for metal removal and recovery from contaminated water
• Grantee: Rennan Felix da Silva Barbosa
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 24/08105-0 - Poly(alfa and beta-cyclodextrins) containing Brazilian clays to remove potentially toxic elements in contaminated water
• Grantee: Rafaela Reis Ferreira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 22/01382-3 - Cellulose hydrogels containing modified clays for the removal and recovery of metal ions present in contaminated water
• Grantee: Rafaela Reis Ferreira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 24/15696-5 - Nanocomposite membranes containing nanoparticles chemically modified with plasma: the effect of plasma to develop high-performance membranes for environmental remediation
• Grantee: Paulo Henrique Camani
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• FAPESP's process: 22/11133-0 - Development of biodegradable porous starch hydrogels containing modified nanocellulose or nanoclays for the removal and recovery of metals in contaminated water
• Grantee: Talles Barcelos da Costa
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 23/11229-0 - Biodegradable porous composite membranes based on PLA containing nanoclay/nanocellulose for removal and recovery of PTEs from contaminated water
• Grantee: Paulo Henrique Camani
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 20/13703-3 - Environmentally friendly porous materials for the recovery and revaluation of metals reclaimed from contaminated water
• Grantee: Derval dos Santos Rosa
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants