Removal of Hydrophobic Organic Pollutants and Copper by Alginate-Based and Polycaprolactone Materials

Abstract

Organic pollutants (OPs) and heavy metals are environmental toxicants associated with great concerns. Decontamination processes are urgent for both, and the possibility to achieve their simultaneous removal from polluted waters is highly interesting. Additionally, in many cases, the effect of organic matter in the removal process is overlooked and must be considered. This work aimed to study the potential of alginate-based and polycaprolactone (PCL) materials to remove OPs and copper ions in the absence and presence of organic matter. The OPs investigated were the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons anthracene and benzo[a]pyrene, and the pesticide chlorpyrifos, both hydrophobic compounds. Copper (II) ions were used as a model of heavy metals. Alginate-based spheres were prepared by gelation, and PCL microparticles were obtained by oil/water emulsion solvent evaporation. The materials with the highest efficiencies for OP removal from aqueous solutions were those with activated carbon and PCL. Furthermore, the spheres with activated carbon could remove anthracene and copper simultaneously, even in the presence of humic acid. This work points to activated carbon–alginate spheres as a multifunctional adsorbent able to remove different pollutants and to PCL for potential applications in OP decontamination processes.