Effects of Extraction Methods on the Thermal Stability of Extracellular Polymeric Substances-Based Biomaterials from Wastewater Sludge

Journal Article (2025)
Author(s)

Tan M. Le (The University of Auckland)

Yuemei Lin (TU Delft - BT/Environmental Biotechnology)

Wei Qin Zhuang (The University of Auckland)

Krishnan Jayaraman (The University of Auckland)

Nam Kyeun Kim (The University of Auckland)

Research Group
BT/Environmental Biotechnology
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.4c10329
More Info
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Publication Year
2025
Language
English
Research Group
BT/Environmental Biotechnology
Bibliographical Note
Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository 'You share, we take care!' - Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.@en
Issue number
8
Volume number
59
Pages (from-to)
4165-4177
Reuse Rights

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Abstract

Various methods for recovering extracellular polymeric substances (EPS)-based biomaterials from wastewater sludge exist. However, the relationships between extraction methods and properties of biomaterials have not been fully explored. In this study, the thermal properties, including activation energy (AE) and thermal decomposition mechanism, of EPS-based biomaterials extracted by different methods have been determined by thermogravimetric analysis integrated with the deconvolution method. Simultaneously, the chemical properties of these biomaterials, such as the extraction yield, chemical composition, and functional groups, have been monitored to clarify the influences of extraction methods. Notably, proteins and humic-like substances have been found as the major components to determine thermal stability and AE. Moreover, the physicochemical method shows significant effects on enhancing extraction yield and AE, with the NaOH and heat methods proving to be outstanding by delivering the highest AE of 300 kJ/mol and a substantial char formation of 24%. The results have demonstrated the significant impact of extraction methods on the thermal stability of EPS-based biomaterials. Moreover, this finding provides insights into the linkages between the properties of EPS-based biomaterials and extraction methods to guide the selection of appropriate extraction methods tailored to specific applications, including flame-resistant materials.

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