Novel biopolymer-coated hydroxyapatite foams for removing heavy-metals from polluted water

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials Vol. 192; no. 1; pp. 71 - 77
• Main Authors: Vila, M., Sánchez-Salcedo, S., Cicuéndez, M., Izquierdo-Barba, I., Vallet-Regí, María
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier B.V 15-08-2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adsorption; Applied sciences; aqueous solutions; Biological and physicochemical phenomena; Biopolymers; cadmium; Contamination; copper; crosslinking; Durapatite - chemistry; Exact sciences and technology; Foamed metals; Foams; gelatin; glutaraldehyde; Heavy metals; Heavy-metal; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; hydrophilicity; Hydroxyapatite; Immobilization; In vitro testing; Kinetics; lead; Macroporous; metal ions; Metals, Heavy - isolation & purification; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Natural water pollution; Pollution; Water Pollutants, Chemical - isolation & purification; water pollution; Water treatment and pollution; X-Ray Diffraction; Foams; Macroporous; Immobilization; Heavy-metal; Hydroxyapatite; Stability; Metal ion; In vitro; Uptake; Contamination; Heavy metal; Foam; Morphology; Biopolymer; pH; Water pollution; Aqueous solution; Macroporosity; Handling
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2011.04.100

► 3D-macroporous biopolymer-coated hydroxyapatite (HA) foams as potential devices for the treatment of heavy metal ions. ► HA stable foams coated with biopolymers. ► Feasible advance in development of new, easy to handle and low cost water purifying methods.
3D-macroporous biopolymer-coated hydroxyapatite (HA) foams have been developed as potential devices for the treatment of lead, cadmium and copper contamination of consumable waters. These foams have exhibited a fast and effective ion metal immobilization into the HA structure after an
in vitro treatment mimicking a serious water contamination case. To improve HA foam stability at contaminated aqueous solutions pH, as well as its handling and shape integrity the 3D-macroporous foams have been coated with biopolymers polycaprolactone (PCL) and gelatine cross-linked with glutaraldehyde (G/Glu). Metal ion immobilization tests have shown higher and fast heavy metals captured as function of hydrophilicity rate of biopolymer used. After an
in vitro treatment, foam morphology integrity is guaranteed and the uptake of heavy metal ions rises up to 405
μmol/g in the case of Pb
2+, 378
μmol/g of Cu
2+ and 316
μmol/g of Cd
2+. These novel materials promise a feasible advance in development of new, easy to handle and low cost water purifying methods.