Aerogels of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) were produced by freeze-drying. HPMC E and J samples presented degree of substitution (DS) of methyl groups of 1.9 and 1.5, respectively, and molar substitution (MS) of hydroxypropoxy groups of 0.25 and 0.75, respectively. The aerogels made of HPMC E and J presented, respectively, densities of 0.018 g/cm<sup>3</sup> and 0.022 g/cm<sup>3</sup> g, compression moduli of 87 kPa and 91 kPa, micrometric pores and high stability of HPMC E and J aerogels in organic and aqueous media . The aerogels were used as adsorbents for the pollutants methylene blue and ethinyl estradiol.  The adsorption isotherms were fitted to Langmuir model and indicated higher affinity of methylene blue for the more hydrophilic aerogel made of HPMC J. The adsorption of ethinyl estradiol on naked HPMC J aerogel and on methylene blue coated HPMC J aerogel was investigated in the concentration range of 3 μmol/L to 50 μmol/L, revealing larger affinity of ethinyl estradiol for the naked HPMC J aerogel. Additionally HPMC aerogels enriched by superparamagnetic particles were prepared and characterized. The adsorption of ethynil estradiol onto magnetic HPMC aerogels was more pronounced than on the pristine aerogels.  The outstanding results indicate the novel HPMC aerogels as potential materials for pre-concentration and removal of pollutants present in waste water and contaminated rivers.

Aerogels made from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose: Potential adsorbents for wastewater pollutants

251st National Meeting (2016)

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