High-Performance Magnetic Mining Waste-Based Geopolymeric Membrane Coated with Silver Molybdate: Processing, Characterization, and Filtration Behavior Daniela Gier Della Rocca, Victor de Aguiar Pedott, Fernanda Cristina Fraga, Adriano da Silva, Rosely Aparecida Peralta, et al. Ceramics, 2026 Membrane technology is a highly efficient, cost-effective, and chemical-free process, leading to its widespread application across various fields. However, the high capital cost of traditional ceramic benchmarks remains a barrier. This study addresses this challenge by engineering a low-cost, waste-derived geopolymeric membrane functionalized with a silver molybdate (Ag2MoO4) catalytic coating for the removal of trimethoprim (TMP), a persistent emerging contaminant. Systematic filtration assays for the removal of TMP (100 mg·L−1, pH 4) revealed the role of the Ag2MoO4 layer as a performance intensifier, yielding a 26% increase in initial permeate flux and a 33% improvement in the selectivity compared to the pristine support, while maintaining robust rejection efficiency. Comprehensive characterization attributes these enhancements to synergistic effects between increased surface hydrophilicity and favorable solute–catalyst interfacial interactions. Furthermore, a fouling analysis using Hermia’s models indicated the simultaneous operation of multiple blocking mechanisms, a phenomenon linked to the non-uniform nature of the coating and subsequent formation of preferential flow paths. Overall, the incorporation of the silver molybdate coating effectively improved the membrane’s flux performance and selectivity. These findings demonstrate that integrating catalytic coatings onto waste-based geopolymer frameworks provides a scalable, circular-economy-aligned strategy for advanced wastewater treatment, balancing high-flux performance with the efficient removal of recalcitrant pharmaceuticals.
Geopolymeric membranes: A comprehensive review of emerging wastewater treatment solutions Amani Boushila, Samir Ismaili, Adel Zrelli, Souad Najar, Qusay Alsalhy, et al. Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2026 In today's world, wastewater treatment has become a critical challenge for environmental sustainability and public health, particularly due to the increasing presence of toxic metals and non‐biodegradable contaminants. Traditional methods such as adsorption, precipitation, ion exchange, membrane separation, and filtration categorized under chemical, physical, or biological approaches, are often limited by high costs, low efficiency, or negative environmental impacts. The selection of these techniques depends on effluent characteristics, operational conditions, and wastewater volume. Membrane‐based technologies have emerged as promising alternatives, offering higher efficiency, selectivity, and adaptability compared to conventional processes. Among these, geopolymer membranes represent a novel class of inorganic materials, synthesized through an eco‐friendly and versatile geopolymerization process. These membranes are typically fabricated from aluminosilicate precursors sourced from industrial byproducts like fly ash, rice husk ash, and phosphate tailings, thereby promoting waste valorization and sustainability. What distinguishes geopolymer membranes is their excellent thermal stability, robust chemical resistance, and highly tunable pore structure and surface properties. These characteristics enable them to function effectively under harsh conditions and selectively remove a broad spectrum of contaminants, potentially outperforming traditional polymeric and ceramic membranes. Their modular design also allows integration into customized advanced treatment systems tailored to specific pollutants. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the geopolymerization mechanism, key factors influencing membrane performance, and diverse applications in wastewater treatment. Special emphasis is placed on addressing current challenges such as scalability, fouling resistance, and long‐term durability, highlighting how geopolymer membranes can offer innovative solutions for sustainable water management and pollution control.
Innovative electrospun geopolymer/zeolite/PVA composite membranes Mariana Schneider, Mar Calzado‐Delgado, Enrique Rodríguez‐Castellón, Maria Olga Guerrero‐Pérez, Dachamir Hotza, et al. Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2026 Innovative electrospun poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)–geopolymer–zeolite 13X composite membranes were successfully fabricated and systematically characterized. The optimal electrospinning solution was prepared by mixing ethanol with 8 wt.% PVA and 1 wt.% of inorganic powder (geopolymer, zeolite 13X, or geopolymer/zeolite composites containing 20 or 30 wt.% zeolite). The incorporation of the inorganic fillers into the PVA matrix led to significant improvements in thermal, mechanical, and adsorption properties. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed delayed degradation with differential thermal gravimetric analysis (DTG) peaks shifting from ~293°C (MGP) to ~313°C (MZ30), with total mass losses between 92.7% and 94.0%. Mechanical testing revealed that MGP exhibited the highest tensile strength (2.81 MPa) and elongation (227.8%), while MZ30 presented 1.72 MPa strength with improved flexibility (62.1% strain) compared to MZ20 (34.9%). Nitrogen physisorption analysis indicated surface areas ranging from 2.4 m 2 /g (MZ) to 24.3 m 2 /g (MZ30), with fibre diameters spanning 10.7–44.4 μm. Gas adsorption studies demonstrated that hydrogen uptake increased from 0.01 mmol g −1 in pure PVA to 0.08 mmol g −1 in MZ30, and CO adsorption improved from 0.03 to 0.08 mmol g −1 . In contrast, CO 2 uptake remained largely unchanged, with values between 0.21–0.66 mmol g −1 , close to that of pure PVA (0.66 mmol g −1 ). These results confirm that even at low filler content, the hybrid membranes display enhanced multifunctional performance, making them promising candidates for separation processes, filtration, catalytic supports, and protective coatings.
Influence of Curing Temperature on the Synthesis of a Phosphate-Waste-Based Geopolymer for CO2 Capture and Separation Mariana Schneider, Denise Gomes da Silva Costa, Enrique Rodríguez-Castellón, M. Olga Guerrero-Pérez, Dachamir Hotza, et al. ACS Applied Energy Materials, 2025 A promising approach to combating global warming is the capture, storage, and reuse of greenhouse gas emissions. Adsorption processes can capture up to 90% of the CO2 emissions. However, CO2 storage requires significant investment and may not always be feasible, making it essential to improve capture efficiency and reduce costs. Geopolymeric adsorbents have shown potential for separating CO2 from gaseous mixtures. Additionally, captured CO2 can be utilized in processes such as electrochemical reduction, photocatalytic reduction, and catalytic methanation. This study compares the potential of four geopolymers synthesized from phosphate waste and metakaolin as precursors under different curing conditions by analyzing the adsorption equilibrium isotherms of CO2, H2, and CO at various temperatures. The samples were characterized using XRF, XRD, FTIR, SEM, EDS, XPS, NMR, micro-CT, density, BET surface area, and porosity analyses. The best performance was observed for the submerged samples, which exhibited a CO2 adsorption capacity of 2.24 mmol/g at 80 °C and 2.00 mmol/g at 65 °C, highlighting the significance of the submerged-cured process. BET surface area analysis revealed values of 301 and 337 m2/g for the submerged G65s and G80s samples, with corresponding porosity values of ∼0.130 cm3/g. Additionally, FTIR and NMR analyses confirmed the successful geopolymerization and identified key aluminosilicate peaks. These findings highlight the potential of industrial waste-based geopolymers as sustainable and cost-effective adsorbents for CO2 separation, with key characteristics such as reusability and compatibility with cyclical processes further enhancing their suitability for practical applications in gas separation technologies.
Photo-immobilization of proteins on carbons Eduardo Humeres, Moisés Canle, Cristiane Nunes Lopes, J. Arturo Santaballa, Nito Angelo Debacher, et al. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B Biology, 2020
Characterization of Brazilian sugarcane bagasse and sugarcane straw based on European methodologies to evaluate the potential for energy conversion European Biomass Conference and Exhibition Proceedings, 2017
Preface Regina de Fatima Peralta Muniz Moreira, Ariovaldo Bolzan Chemical Engineering and Processing Process Intensification, 2016
Program topic: Gasification science and modeling syngas production from brazilian coal chars in the presence of steam 33rd Annual International Pittsburgh Coal Conference Coal Energy Environment and Sustainable Development PCC 2016, 2016
Water and Wastewater Management and Biomass to Energy Conversion in a Meat Processing Plant in Brazil: A Case Study Water Treatment in Developed and Developing Nations an International Perspective, 2015
Ferromagnetic properties of pyrite from the southern brazil coal mining industry at diferent heating temperatures 29th Annual International Pittsburgh Coal Conference 2012 PCC 2012, 2012
Fixed-bed adsorption of carbon dioxide-nitrogen mixtures onto activated carbon: Characteristics of CO2 adsorption and modeling 27th Annual International Pittsburgh Coal Conference 2010 PCC 2010, 2010
Potential of industrial solid wastes as an energy source and gaseous emissions evaluation in a pilot scale burner 2008 Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Energy Sustainability Es 2008, 2009
Feasibility for utilization of an organic solid waste originated from the meat processing industry as an alternative energy source in combustion process ECOS 2009 22nd International Conference on Efficiency Cost Optimization Simulation and Environmental Impact of Energy Systems, 2009
Kinetics study and characterization of polystyrene/graphite composite produced via suspension polymerization Xxii Interamerican Congress of Chemical Engineering Ciiq 2006 and V Argentinian Congress of Chemical Engineering Caiq 2006 Innovation and Management for Sustainable Development, 2006
Treatment of poultry industry wastewater by dissolved air flotation and advanced oxidation processes Xxii Interamerican Congress of Chemical Engineering Ciiq 2006 and V Argentinian Congress of Chemical Engineering Caiq 2006 Innovation and Management for Sustainable Development, 2006
Determination of AOT (bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate sodium salt) anionic surfactant used in the WEPS (water expandable polystyrene) polymerization reaction by improved spectrophotometric method using methylene blue cationic coloring Xxii Interamerican Congress of Chemical Engineering Ciiq 2006 and V Argentinian Congress of Chemical Engineering Caiq 2006 Innovation and Management for Sustainable Development, 2006
