Biodegradable gelatin composite hydrogels filled with cellulose for chromium (VI) adsorption from contaminated water.

Biopolymers are promising materials for water treatment applications due to their abundance, low cost, expandability, and chemical structure. In this work, gelatin hydrogels filled with cellulose in the form of pristine eucalyptus residues (PER) or treated eucalyptus residues (TER) were prepared for adsorption and chromium removal in contaminated water. PER is a lignocellulosic compound, with cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, while TER has cellulose as a major component. FT-Raman Spectroscopy and FTIR analysis confirmed the crosslink reaction with glutaraldehyde and indicated that fillers altered the gelatin molecular vibrations and formed new hydrogen bonds, impacting the hydrogels' crystalline structure. The hydrogen bond energy was altered by the cellulosic fillers' addition and resulted in higher thermal stability (~10 °C). Hydrogels presented a Fickian diffusion, where gelatin hydrogel showed the highest swelling ability (466%), and composites showed lower values with the filler content increase. The chromium adsorption capacity presented values between 12 and 13 mg/g, i.e., featuring an excellent removal capacity which is related with hydrogel crosslinked structure and fibers surface hydroxyl groups, highlighting gelatin hydrogel TER 5% with better removal capacity. The developed hydrogels were produced from biomacromolecules with low-cost and potential application in contaminated water.

Arabic gum-based composite hydrogels reinforced with eucalyptus and pinus residues for controlled phosphorus release.

Arabic gum-based composite hydrogels reinforced with eucalyptus and pinus residues were synthesized via free-radical reaction aiming to controlled phosphorus release. All hydrogels were characterized by swelling kinetics (SK), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-Ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and mechanical assays (MA). The water and solute transports through the hydrophilic three-dimensional networks of the hydrogels occur preferably by diffusion processes and macromolecular relaxation. Hemicellulose, lignin and cellulose fibers contained in eucalyptus and pinus residues affected the crosslinking density, crystalline structure, and water/solute diffusion due to reduction of free hydroxyl and amine groups in the hydrogel networks. Hence, the eucalyptus and pinus residues improved the mechanical and thermal resistances of the composite hydrogels. Finally, the Arabic gum-based hydrogel and Arabic gum-based composite hydrogels reinforced with eucalyptus and pinus residues demonstrated to be excellent alternatives for the controlled phosphorus release in agricultural nutrient-poor soils.