Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SuSCoFilter (Multifunctional and Sustainable Nanoarchitectured Networks for High-Performance Filtering of Air Pollutants)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2022-11-01 al 2024-10-31
Our society is increasingly confronted with pressing environmental and health challenges that demand innovative solutions. The growing threats posed by air pollution, waste accumulation, and resource scarcity show the urgency of sustainable strategies for resource management and environmental health protection. According to the World Health Organization, air pollution is responsible for millions of premature deaths annually, predominantly due to respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. This impact is magnified by the waste produced by industries and households alike, placing a strain on natural resources and ecosystems. Against this backdrop, the SuSCoFilter project seeks to contribute to sustainable solutions, guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on Good Health and Well-Being (Goal 3) and Responsible Consumption and Production (Goal 12).
One of SuSCoFilter’s central innovations lies in the sustainable repurposing of spent coffee grounds (SCG), a biowaste generated in massive quantities by the global coffee industry. As a lignocellulosic organic waste rich in melanoidins and fatty acids, SCG presents a valuable yet underutilized resource. However, SCG disposal poses significant environmental concerns due to its slow decomposition and potential to release methane when landfilled. Therefore, repurposing SCG into functional materials reduces the environmental burden and aligns with a circular economy model, where waste materials are transformed into valuable products. Although significant research has explored SCG valorization, many approaches rely on chemical modification or harsh physical treatments, which undermine the sustainability goals by adding processing costs and potential pollutants. By contrast, SuSCoFilter minimizes its environmental footprint by keeping the integrity of SCG largely intact with minimal chemical intervention, thus contributing to a greener approach to repurposing organic waste.
The primary objective of SuSCoFilter was to develop a high-performance, multifunctional air filter capable of capturing both particulate matter (PM) and gaseous pollutants. Advanced materials, including metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which are highly effective in adsorbing specific gases, are incorporated into SuSCoFilter. Through the integration of SCG into the filter matrix, alongside specialized MOFs, the project sought to create an innovative, scalable filtration solution that is affordable, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly. SCG serves as a structural component in the filter, replacing synthetic materials, and facilitates a lower-pressure drop design that improves energy efficiency.
While the primary application of SuSCoFilter focused on air filtration, the project's innovative approach to SCG repurposing unlocked further applications, extending its impact beyond the initial scope. The developed method for processing SCG enabled the creation of light-responsive antibacterial textiles and superhydrophobic interfaces, both of which serve distinct but equally impactful roles in health and environmental applications. Antibacterial textiles offer adaptive protection against harmful bacteria and are valuable in medical and industrial contexts, where material reusability and sterility are paramount. Meanwhile, superhydrophobic interfaces—achieved by modulating SCG with fatty acids to control surface energy—provide self-cleaning surfaces that repel contaminants, further showcasing the versatility of SCG as a sustainable resource.
One of SuSCoFilter’s central innovations lies in the sustainable repurposing of spent coffee grounds (SCG), a biowaste generated in massive quantities by the global coffee industry. As a lignocellulosic organic waste rich in melanoidins and fatty acids, SCG presents a valuable yet underutilized resource. However, SCG disposal poses significant environmental concerns due to its slow decomposition and potential to release methane when landfilled. Therefore, repurposing SCG into functional materials reduces the environmental burden and aligns with a circular economy model, where waste materials are transformed into valuable products. Although significant research has explored SCG valorization, many approaches rely on chemical modification or harsh physical treatments, which undermine the sustainability goals by adding processing costs and potential pollutants. By contrast, SuSCoFilter minimizes its environmental footprint by keeping the integrity of SCG largely intact with minimal chemical intervention, thus contributing to a greener approach to repurposing organic waste.
The primary objective of SuSCoFilter was to develop a high-performance, multifunctional air filter capable of capturing both particulate matter (PM) and gaseous pollutants. Advanced materials, including metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which are highly effective in adsorbing specific gases, are incorporated into SuSCoFilter. Through the integration of SCG into the filter matrix, alongside specialized MOFs, the project sought to create an innovative, scalable filtration solution that is affordable, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly. SCG serves as a structural component in the filter, replacing synthetic materials, and facilitates a lower-pressure drop design that improves energy efficiency.
While the primary application of SuSCoFilter focused on air filtration, the project's innovative approach to SCG repurposing unlocked further applications, extending its impact beyond the initial scope. The developed method for processing SCG enabled the creation of light-responsive antibacterial textiles and superhydrophobic interfaces, both of which serve distinct but equally impactful roles in health and environmental applications. Antibacterial textiles offer adaptive protection against harmful bacteria and are valuable in medical and industrial contexts, where material reusability and sterility are paramount. Meanwhile, superhydrophobic interfaces—achieved by modulating SCG with fatty acids to control surface energy—provide self-cleaning surfaces that repel contaminants, further showcasing the versatility of SCG as a sustainable resource.
A sustainable method for repurposing SCG was developed during the course of the SuSCoFilter project, resulting in a stable microparticulate suspension in a green solvent. This suspension enabled the integration of SCG into a micro-nanostructured filtration platform through simultaneous electrohydrodynamic processing, where SCG microparticles were electrosprayed alongside electrospun polymer nanofibers to form a composite fibrous structure.
To enhance the filter’s performance, selected MOF particles were incorporated within the two primary structural components of the fibrous textile. Characterization of the achieved structures included assessments of morphology, thermal stability, and mechanical strength. Results showed that MOF integration notably increased the porosity of the SuSCoFilter textile, enabling a lower pressure drop and thereby enhancing energy efficiency without compromising the filter’s ability to capture fine particulate matter.
In addition, the photothermal properties of the SCG-integrated platform were thoroughly examined. Experiments demonstrated the material’s ability to raise water temperature under both solar irradiation and near-infrared laser exposure. Furthermore, bio-inspired surface modifications were applied to SCG microparticles to introduce an on-demand antibacterial function.
To enhance the filter’s performance, selected MOF particles were incorporated within the two primary structural components of the fibrous textile. Characterization of the achieved structures included assessments of morphology, thermal stability, and mechanical strength. Results showed that MOF integration notably increased the porosity of the SuSCoFilter textile, enabling a lower pressure drop and thereby enhancing energy efficiency without compromising the filter’s ability to capture fine particulate matter.
In addition, the photothermal properties of the SCG-integrated platform were thoroughly examined. Experiments demonstrated the material’s ability to raise water temperature under both solar irradiation and near-infrared laser exposure. Furthermore, bio-inspired surface modifications were applied to SCG microparticles to introduce an on-demand antibacterial function.
The SuSCoFilter project has achieved remarkable results beyond the current state of the art, specifically through the development of light-responsive antibacterial superhydrophobic interfaces and textiles derived from SCG. By sustainable repurposing SCG into a functional material, SuSCoFilter has extended its impact beyond traditional air filtration technologies and entered new application areas, such as self-cleaning and contamination-resistant surfaces. SuSCoFilter responds to light to activate its protective features, which offer substantial benefits for healthcare, food processing, and other industries where reusable, sterile materials are essential.
One of the breakthroughs of this project is the ability to achieve superhydrophobicity through mere exposure of SCG-based interfaces and textiles to solar light. This capability represents a new frontier in eco-friendly, on-demand water-repellent technologies, setting SuSCoFilter apart from other methods in sustainability and practicality.
To enable widespread adoption and maximize the impact of these innovations, further research is needed to a) increase the durability and adhesion stability of SCG-derived superhydrophobic surfaces and textiles and b) to demonstrate these materials in real-world environments to validate their practical utility and resilience.
One of the breakthroughs of this project is the ability to achieve superhydrophobicity through mere exposure of SCG-based interfaces and textiles to solar light. This capability represents a new frontier in eco-friendly, on-demand water-repellent technologies, setting SuSCoFilter apart from other methods in sustainability and practicality.
To enable widespread adoption and maximize the impact of these innovations, further research is needed to a) increase the durability and adhesion stability of SCG-derived superhydrophobic surfaces and textiles and b) to demonstrate these materials in real-world environments to validate their practical utility and resilience.