Alginate-based composites for environmental applications: A critical review
Bing Wang1,2, Yongshan Wan3, Yuling Zheng2
1State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China.
Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology
|June 14, 2021
Summary
Alginate-based composites offer a cost-effective solution for removing pollutants like dyes, heavy metals, and antibiotics from water. These materials show enhanced adsorption performance, making them promising for environmental applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Environmental Science
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Alginate biopolymer is biocompatible, nontoxic, and cost-effective.
- Alginate-based composites are increasingly studied for energy and environmental applications.
- Understanding alginate gelation and cross-linking is crucial for composite development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of alginate-based composite synthesis and applications.
- To focus on adsorption mechanisms and performance for pollutant removal.
- To summarize recent advances and future perspectives in alginate-based composites for environmental remediation.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on alginate-based composite synthesis.
- Analysis of adsorption mechanisms for various pollutants (dyes, heavy metals, antibiotics).
- Evaluation of composite properties influencing adsorption effectiveness.
Main Results:
- Alginate-based composites exhibit enhanced adsorption performance compared to alginate alone.
- Encapsulation in alginate gel beads protects embedded materials.
- Physicochemical properties critically determine the effectiveness of composites for pollutant removal.
Conclusions:
- Alginate-based composites are effective for removing diverse water pollutants.
- Further research into their properties can optimize environmental applications.
- These composites represent a sustainable approach to wastewater treatment.
