Abstract
Meeting the increasing demand of clean water requires the development of novel efficient adsorbent materials for the removal of organic pollutants. In this context the use of natural, renewable sources is of special relevance and sepia melanin, thanks to its ability to bind a variety of organic and inorganic species, has already attracted interest for water purification. Here we describe the synthesis of a material obtained by the combination of sepia melanin and poly(ethylene-alt-maleic anhydride) (P(E-alt-MA)). Compared to sepia melanin, the resulting hybrid displays a high and fast adsorption efficiency towards methylene blue (a common industrial dye) for a wide pH range (from pH 2 to 12) and under high ionic strength conditions. It is easily recovered after use and can be reused up to three times. Given the wide availability of sepia melanin and P(E-alt-MA), the synthesis of our hybrid is simple and affordable, making it suitable for industrial water purification purposes.
Highlights
Life—or, at least, human life—is not possible without water
We demonstrate how sepia melanin can be chemically combined with poly(ethylene-alt-maleic anhydride), giving rise to a stable, water-insoluble, and highly efficient hybrid adsorbent material
We speculated on the possibility of forming chemical bonds between the catechol groups of sepia melanin and the carboxylic acid moieties of poly(ethylene-alt-maleic anhydride)
Summary
Life—or, at least, human life—is not possible without water Despite this common knowledge, access to sources of clean, drinkable water cannot be taken for granted worldwide due to both natural and anthropogenic factors [1]. Access to sources of clean, drinkable water cannot be taken for granted worldwide due to both natural and anthropogenic factors [1] The latter one comprises the misuse and abuse of water, such as improper or no treatment of industrial effluents from highly polluting processes—e.g., mining and textile dyeing—which are extremely rich in toxic metals and organic compounds, or of black waters from human settings, which are loaded with pesticides, drug residues, and other contaminants [2]. We demonstrate how sepia melanin can be chemically combined with poly(ethylene-alt-maleic anhydride), giving rise to a stable, water-insoluble, and highly efficient hybrid adsorbent material
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