Innovative Polyester-Hydrogels as Sustainable Filter Materials

The goal of our project is to identify possible contaminants that can be removed using the developed hydrogels while simultaneously creating a sustainable valorization pathway for polyester waste.

The synthesis of new hydrogels will be achieved by varying the polyester composition and functionalization. Variations in hydrogels formulations, including copolymers, can produce a range of materials with differing effectiveness against specific contaminants.

WW characterization is carried out to identify common Emerging Contaminants (ECs) present in the countries involved. Selected ECs (e.g., imidacloprid (pesticide), acetaminophen (pharmaceutical), PFAS, microplastics, and others) of interest for the partners are tested on laboratory scale and their removal efficiency by the hydrogels is evaluated by means of HPLC and TOC. Upon further development of the HPLC detection method, additional ECs can be monitored.

Other techniques (e.g. XRD, FTIR, TGA, SEM, EDX, and elemental analysis EA) are implemented for material characterization.

Among the ongoing activities conducted by UPM, are the evaluation of current strategies for PFAS degradation and the development and validation of a robust methodology for microplastic identification.