Bioespuma poliuretano incorporada com dregs de licor verde para remoção de SARS-CoV-2 e Cr(III) de águas contaminadas

Abstract

Contaminants in water cause an imbalance of biota, reduction of water quality, and damage to public health. The presence of Cr(III) in aquatic system is due to the high volume of use of this heavy metal in industries and the low efficiency of removal of this contaminant from conventional treatments. In addition, the current pandemic of COVID-19 has caused several negative impacts on public health and the global economy. A polyurethane bio-foam grafted with pulp and paper industry waste (green liquor dregs) is proposed as a novel filter for Cr(III) and SARVS-CoV 2 removal from wastewater. The bio-foam (polymeric composite) produced by the free expansion method and incorporated with 5% dregs was compared in removal tests to the isolated phases. The percentage and removal capacity of Cr(III) for the bio-foam were 36.15% and 58.50 mg-g -1 , for pure polyurethane were 36.15% and 57.56 mg-g -1 and for dregs particles 81.93% and 135.45 mg-g -1 , respectively. Regarding the removal of SARVS-CoV-2, the results showed removal potential of 99.03% for dregs, 91.55% for composite biofoam of dregs, 99.96% for pure foam, 99.64% for commercial activated carbon, and 99.30% for commercial activated carbon composite foam. For Cr(III), the occurrence of a hybrid mechanism of precipitation and adsorption suggests a high removal capacity associated with dregs. The potential of the polyurethane can be maximized by increasing the dregs content for removal and employment in contaminant removal columns in environmental disaster situations, having a high potential for use as filters.