abstract
Cellulose is a copious natural polymer that is being investigated to generate micro and nanoparticles with potential to address the challenge of water pollution. Herein, nanohybrid cellulose microspheres were developed, characterized and tested as advanced tools for water remediation. The microspheres were fabricated via dissolution of wood pulp fibers in an organic electrolyte solution followed by regeneration in water. Afterwards, nanohybrid cellulose microspheres were assembled via sequential in situ synthesis of inorganic nanoparticles (NPs), namely gold (AuNPs), platinum (PtNPs), and iron oxide (Fe3O4NPs). Nanohybrid microspheres (diameter of 680 ± 5 μm (dry state)) showed a content of 207 ± 5 μg g−1 of Au, 649 ± 64 μg g−1 of Pt and 59.7 ± 0.6 mg g−1 of Fe. These microspheres can move via catalytic-powered and magnetic mechanisms, and can be easily recovered with a magnet. Moreover, they demonstrated antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and are non-ecotoxic towards Raphidocelis subcapitata and Aliivibrio fischeri. The Cell/Au–Pt–Fe3O4NPs microspheres were also able to remove model water-soluble dyes, namely methylene blue and methyl orange, reducing their concentration by ca. 67 and 37%, respectively, with the possibility of being reused. Overall, the obtained results show that these nanohybrid cellulose microspheres can effectively move and treat water contaminated with bacteria (MRSA) and organic pollutants, representing a sustainable solution for water remediation.
authors
Almeida, Joana C.; William Marcondes Facchinatto; Valente, Vasco; Campos, Gabriela J.; Alikin, Denis; Kholkin, Andrei; Schaeffer, Nicolas; Armando J. D. Silvestre; Fátima Jesus; Joana L. Pereira; Adelaide Almeida; Carmen S. R. Freire; Carla Vilela
our authors
