Biomass-Based Hyperbranched Adsorption Material for Heavy Metal Removal

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current biomass-based heavy metal adsorption materials have low utilization rates due to limited functional group contact with target ions and difficulty in desorbing and reusing heavy metals, especially when dealing with multiple heavy metal ions of varying charges, and they are not easily biodegradable, leading to secondary pollution.

Innovation Solution

A biomass-based hyperbranched adsorption material with multi-adsorption sites is developed using a one-step instant-crosslinking method, incorporating a hyperbranched polymer with chelating atoms of N, O, and S, which is synthesized through an amidation reaction and applied to biomass raw materials like cellulose, enhancing functional group density and allowing simultaneous adsorption and rapid removal of heavy metals like Cr6+, Cu2+, and Pb2+.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If synthetic polymer adsorbents are used, then adsorption capacity is improved, but functional group utilization rate deteriorates due to hard solid structure limiting contact with target ions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadsorption capacityVSAvoidfunctional group utilization rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the rigid synthetic polymer structure into a flexible biomass-based adsorbent with thin film characteristics, allowing the material to deform and adapt to contact with target ions in solution, thereby improving functional group utilization while maintaining high adsorption capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material by combining biomass components (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin) with specific functional groups, achieving both high adsorption capacity through diverse functional groups and high utilization rate through the natural porous and flexible structure of biomass

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Device complexity

If traditional biomass adsorbents with single functional groups are used, then simplicity is improved, but adaptability to multiple heavy metal ions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional group diversityVSAvoidmulti-ion adsorption capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the biomass adsorbent multi-functional by incorporating multiple types of functional groups (carboxyl, hydroxyl, amino, carbonyl) that can interact with different types of heavy metal ions through various mechanisms, enabling one material to treat multiple contaminants simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the biomass surface by introducing diverse functional groups with different chemical properties (acidic, basic, neutral), allowing the adsorbent to adjust its interaction mode with different metal ions based on their charge and chemical characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If chemical bonding is used for heavy metal ion fixation, then adsorption strength is improved, but desorption energy consumption deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadsorption strengthVSAvoiddesorption energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates different local bonding environments on the adsorbent surface, where some functional groups form strong chemical bonds for effective adsorption while others provide weaker interactions that facilitate easier desorption, allowing selective bond breaking with lower energy input

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic reversibility to the bonding mechanism, where the chemical bonds between functional groups and heavy metal ions can dynamically form and break under different conditions, enabling adsorption under normal conditions and desorption under mild regeneration conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If synthetic polymer materials are used, then adsorption performance is improved, but biodegradability deteriorates causing secondary pollution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadsorption performanceVSAvoidsecondary pollution
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adopts a disposable biomass-based adsorbent that can be degraded after use, replacing permanent synthetic polymers with biodegradable natural materials that return to the environment harmlessly after serving their adsorption function, eliminating the need for complex recycling infrastructure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The material achieves a 100% removal rate of heavy metals within 10 minutes, is biodegradable, and maintains high regeneration performance after multiple cycles, with a regeneration rate of 96% or more after 50 times, addressing the limitations of existing materials by improving adsorption capacity, velocity, and environmental sustainability.

Implementation Method 1

the biomass-based hyperbranched adsorption material with multi-adsorption sites to multiple heavy metal ions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

most heavy metal ions fixed on the surface of adsorbent react with the functional groups on the adsorbent in the form of chemical bonds to produce chemical bonds

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

thehyperbranched polymer containing chelating atoms of N, O, and S is synthesized by an amidation reaction ofhyperbranched polyamine,hyperbranched polycarboxylic acid andhyperbranched polythiourea

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAmidation reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS11731104B2Preparation method for biomass-based hyperbranched adsorption material
Publication Date: 2023.08.22 GUANGXI UNIV

AI summary

The invention provides a biomass-based hyperbranched adsorption material with multi-adsorption sites to multiple heavy metal ions and a preparation method thereof. The biomass-based hyperbranched adsorption material with multi-adsorption sites to multiple heavy metal ions is prepared by one-step instant-crosslinking method using a biomass raw material as matrix and a hyperbranched polymer containing chelating atoms of N, O, and S as functional reagent, wherein the hyperbranched polymer has two or more different adsorption sites (containing elements such as N, S, O, etc.) to heavy metal ions.