Develpoment of Gel Materials for Water Purification

Alsaka, Lilyan Yaaqub Matti

Develpoment of Gel Materials for Water Purification

Alsaka, Lilyan Yaaqub Matti

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Publication Type:: Thesis
Issue Date:: 2026

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Alsaka, Lilyan Yaaqub Matti
dc.date.accessioned	2026-10-26T02:27:20Z
dc.date.available	2026-10-26T02:27:20Z
dc.date.issued	2026
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/197252
dc.description	University of Technology Sydney. Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology.	en_US.UTF-8
dc.description.abstract	Water purification for human consumption, ecological management, agricultural production, and industrial usage is quickly becoming one of the world’s top priorities. The current level of water filtration technology must eventually be improved to provide greater access to clean water in adequate quantities. In recent decades, much research has focused on membrane technology for water filtration; however, more sophisticated membrane technologies are emerging as advances in analytical and manufacturing techniques continue. Membranes enable water flow while blocking contaminants. Benefits include energy efficiency, customization, and reduced operating requirements compared to other methods, crucial for maintaining water quality and environmental preservation. Hydrogels are three-dimensional networks of polymers that can absorb large amounts of water. similar in structure to living tissues and have physical and chemical properties that allow them to absorb water. Hydrogels can respond to changes in acidity, temperature, light, electrical current, and salt concentration. The balance between hydrophilic and hydrophobic components influences the swelling behavior of their network structures. Hydrogels can be recycled without losing their adsorption capacity, making them economically and environmentally sustainable. Kappa carrageenan, a linear anionic sulfated polysaccharide derived from seaweeds, has a strong gel-forming capacity and is thermoreversible. The unique physicochemical characteristics make it a viable option for water filtration, and its ability to adsorb various toxins and pollutants provides an alternative to traditional water treatment methods. Kappa carrageenan is applied as a standalone filtration medium or in combination with other nanomaterials, such as vanillin, activated carbon, and cellulose nanofibers, to improve its characteristic performance. Vanillin has been studied for its potential use in water purification, particularly as a membrane surface modifier to improve antifouling and filtration properties, and exhibits antibacterial properties, adsorption properties for heavy metals and organic pollutants, and biodegradability. Activated carbon is another adsorbent produced from various organic materials. It can remove organic compounds and other impurities from water due to its large surface area and pore structure. Cellulose nanofibers are nanoparticles derived from biodegradable natural sources and have been used in filtration due to their unique mechanical strength, large surface area, and flexibility. The hydrophilic character of CNFs allows them to retain water effectively, creating an ideal environment for hydrogel-based systems and environmental applications. The potential of integrating kappa carrageenan hydrogel with vanillin, activated carbon, or cellulose nanofibers to provide exceptional filtration media for water purification, organic and heavy metal removal, and ion recovery from seawater and wastewater solutions has been explored here.	en_US.UTF-8
dc.format	Thesis (PhD)
dc.language.iso	en_US	en_US.UTF-8
dc.relation	https://opus.lib.uts.edu.au/bitstream/10453/197252/1/thesis.pdf
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.rights	The author owns the copyright in this thesis including all reproduction and reuse rights for the work. The work may not be altered without the permission of the copyright owner. Attribution is essential when quoting or paraphrasing from this thesis.
dc.rights	© 2026 Lilyan Yaaqub Matti Alsaka
dc.rights	au.edu.uts.lib/cph
dc.title	Develpoment of Gel Materials for Water Purification	en_US.UTF-8
dc.type	Thesis
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*

Abstract:

Water purification for human consumption, ecological management, agricultural production, and industrial usage is quickly becoming one of the world’s top priorities. The current level of water filtration technology must eventually be improved to provide greater access to clean water in adequate quantities. In recent decades, much research has focused on membrane technology for water filtration; however, more sophisticated membrane technologies are emerging as advances in analytical and manufacturing techniques continue. Membranes enable water flow while blocking contaminants. Benefits include energy efficiency, customization, and reduced operating requirements compared to other methods, crucial for maintaining water quality and environmental preservation. Hydrogels are three-dimensional networks of polymers that can absorb large amounts of water. similar in structure to living tissues and have physical and chemical properties that allow them to absorb water. Hydrogels can respond to changes in acidity, temperature, light, electrical current, and salt concentration. The balance between hydrophilic and hydrophobic components influences the swelling behavior of their network structures. Hydrogels can be recycled without losing their adsorption capacity, making them economically and environmentally sustainable. Kappa carrageenan, a linear anionic sulfated polysaccharide derived from seaweeds, has a strong gel-forming capacity and is thermoreversible. The unique physicochemical characteristics make it a viable option for water filtration, and its ability to adsorb various toxins and pollutants provides an alternative to traditional water treatment methods. Kappa carrageenan is applied as a standalone filtration medium or in combination with other nanomaterials, such as vanillin, activated carbon, and cellulose nanofibers, to improve its characteristic performance. Vanillin has been studied for its potential use in water purification, particularly as a membrane surface modifier to improve antifouling and filtration properties, and exhibits antibacterial properties, adsorption properties for heavy metals and organic pollutants, and biodegradability. Activated carbon is another adsorbent produced from various organic materials. It can remove organic compounds and other impurities from water due to its large surface area and pore structure. Cellulose nanofibers are nanoparticles derived from biodegradable natural sources and have been used in filtration due to their unique mechanical strength, large surface area, and flexibility. The hydrophilic character of CNFs allows them to retain water effectively, creating an ideal environment for hydrogel-based systems and environmental applications. The potential of integrating kappa carrageenan hydrogel with vanillin, activated carbon, or cellulose nanofibers to provide exceptional filtration media for water purification, organic and heavy metal removal, and ion recovery from seawater and wastewater solutions has been explored here.

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