Encapsulation and sedimentation of nanomaterials through complex coacervation

Nanoparticles removal from seawage water is a health and environmental challenge, due to the increasing use of these materials excellent colloidal stability. Herein we hypothesize reach this objective through complex coacervation, straightforward, low-cost process, normally accomplished with non-toxic biodegradable macromolecules. Highly dense polymer-rich droplets (the coacervates) obtained reversible charge-driven phase separation, entrap suspended nanomaterials, allowing their settling potential recovery. In work apply process highly stable aqueous dispersions different surface charge, size, type state (solid or liquid). We systematically investigate effects biopolymers excess nanomaterials concentration charge on encapsulation sedimentation efficiency rate. This strategy also applied real laboratory water-based wastes. Long-lasting suspensions are succesfully destabilized coacervate formation, which ensures high efficiencies (~85%), payloads tranparent supernatants (%T ~90%), within two hours. Lower polymer induces faster clearance less sediments, while preserving effective removal. Preliminary experiments validate method for residuals, making coacervation promising scalable, ecofriendly alternative concentrate, separate recover micro/nanomaterials sludges.