Jellyfish-inspired alginate composite hydrogel filter prepared by macro-micro double bionic strategy for efficient water purification

doi:10.1007/s11783-024-1811-8

2024, Vol. 18

Issue (4) : 51 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-024-1811-8

Jellyfish-inspired alginate composite hydrogel filter prepared by macro-micro double bionic strategy for efficient water purification

Huiting Peng¹, Yan Chen¹, Jiaopan Lin¹, Chelsea Benally², Mohamed Gamal El-Din², Junkai Gao¹(

)

¹. School of Naval Architecture and Marinetime, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316022, China
². Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada

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Abstract

● A novel hydrogel (2%-SKP-Ca²⁺) was developed by macro-micro dual biomimetic strategy.

● Mechanical properties of 2%-SKP-Ca²⁺ were enhanced by triple crosslinking method.

● Unique micro umbrella structure of 2%-SKP-Ca²⁺ can improve its pore structure.

● 2%-SKP-Ca²⁺ can be effectively used as multi-substrate anti-fouling coatings.

● 2%-SKP-Ca²⁺ can efficiently purify both emulsified oil and methylene blue solution.

Recently, research on hydrogel materials with a porous structure and superior water absorption capabilities significantly grown. However, the hydrogel under gravity-driven separation conditions often exhibit an unstable pore structure, poor mechanical properties, and limited functionality. To this end, this work presents a novel approach that combines a macro-micro double bionic strategy with a triple crosslinking method to develop a multifunctional alginate composite hydrogel filter (2%-SA-κ-CG-PVA-Ca²⁺, 2%-SKP-Ca²⁺ for short) with a stable pore structure and superior mechanical properties, which possessed an umbrella-shaped structure resembling that of jellyfish. The 2%-SKP-Ca²⁺ filter was synthesized using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a stable structure-directing agent, and sodium alginate (SA) and κ-carrageenan (κ-CG) as polymer hydrogels. The distinctive umbrella-shaped hydrogel of 2%-SKP-Ca²⁺ filter, formed through the triple crosslinking method, overcomes the limitations of unstable pore structure and poor durability seen in hydrogels prepared by traditional crosslinking methods. Furthermore, the utilization of the 2%-SKP-Ca²⁺ filter in water treatment demonstrates its good selective permeability, excellent resistance to fouling, and extended longevity, which enables it to simultaneously achieve the multifunctional water purification and the coating of multi-substrate anti-fouling coatings. Therefore, not only does this research provide an efficient, multi-functional, highly pollution-resistant preparation method for designing a new filter, but it also confirms the application prospect of the macro-micro dual bionic strategy developed in this study in complex water treatment.

Keywords Triple crosslinking method Alginate Umbrella-shaped Jellyfish Water purification

Corresponding Author(s): Junkai Gao

Issue Date: 10 January 2024

Cite this article:

Huiting Peng,Yan Chen,Jiaopan Lin, et al. Jellyfish-inspired alginate composite hydrogel filter prepared by macro-micro double bionic strategy for efficient water purification[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2024, 18(4): 51.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fese/EN/10.1007/s11783-024-1811-8
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fese/EN/Y2024/V18/I4/51

Fig.1 2%-SKP-Ca²⁺ filter preparation flow chart.

Fig.2 (a) Effect of varying CaCl₂ concentration and varying SA/κ-CG ratio on hydrogel thickness. (b) Effect of CaCl₂ concentration on the thickness and water flux of SKP-Ca²⁺ hydrogel. (c) Effects of different SA/κ-CG ratios on the thickness and water flux of SKP-Ca²⁺ hydrogel were studied. (d, f) Tensile and compressive strength of 1%–5% SKP-Ca²⁺ hydrogels. (e, g) The tensile and compressive strengths of the original 2%-SP-Ca²⁺, SKP-SC and 5%-SKP-Ca²⁺ hydrogels were compared.

Fig.3 (a, b, c) Pure SA crystal, pure κ-CG crystal and pure PVA crystal. (d, g) SEM images of surface morphology of 2%-SP-Ca²⁺ hydrogel. (e, h) SEM images of surface morphology of 2%-SKP-Ca²⁺ hydrogel. (f, i) SEM images of surface morphology of SKP-SC hydrogel. (j, k, l) 2%-SP-Ca²⁺, 2%-SKP-Ca²⁺, and SKP-SC hydrogels cross-sectional pore size distribution SEM diagram. (m) AFM images of surface roughness for different hydrogels.

Fig.4 (a) FTIR spectra of powder samples SA, κ-CG, PVA and hydrogels 2%-SP-Ca²⁺, SKP-SC and 2%-SKP-Ca²⁺ were shown. (b) XPS broad scans of the above three powder samples and three hydrogel samples. (c–e) C 1s, O 1s, Ca 2p core-level XPS spectra of the 2%-SKP-Ca²⁺ hydrogel filter.

Fig.5 The synthesis mechanism of 2%-SKP-Ca²⁺ filter.

Fig.6 (a1, a2, a3) The water contact angles of 2%-SP-Ca²⁺, SKP-SC and 2%-SKP-Ca²⁺ hydrogels in air. (b) The oil contact angles of pure SA, 2%-SP-Ca²⁺, SKP-SC and 2%-SKP-Ca²⁺ hydrogels under water. (c1, c2, c3) The underwater dynamic oil viscosity properties of three hydrogels. (d) Underwater rolling angle test of 2%-SKP-Ca²⁺ filter. (e) Super-hydrophilic/underwater super-oleophobic dynamic diagram.

Fig.7 (a) 2%-SKP-Ca²⁺ filter oil/water mixture separation picture. (b) Micro umbrella structure of emulsified oil separation mechanism diagram. (c, f) Efficiency of separation and filtration flux across various oil-water mixtures and emulsified oils. (d, g) Impact of cycle number on filtration rate and separation effectiveness. (e, h) Effect of cycle number on underwater oil contact angle. (i) A biological microscope depicting the oil-in-water emulsion prior to and subsequent to the separation process.

Fig.8 (a) Pure MB solution separation experiment. (b) Pure MB absorbance standard curve. (c) Absorbance concentration curve after filtration. (d) Removal efficiency of MB by filter. (e) Absorbance of oil-in-water emulsion containing MB before and after separation. (f, g) Effect of different MB concentration and pH on the absorbance. (h) Filtration-cleaning regeneration cycle experiment.

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