Sustainable and reusable 3D fibrous structures based on PLA and biomass wastes for FOG (Fat, Oil, Greases) wastewater treatment

Water is fundamental to life and ensuring the treatment of wastewater is crucial for both human health and the preservation of our planet. To address the growing issue of food industries and household wastewater pollution, it is mandatory to explore the use of sustainable devices to avoid secondary pollution. In this study, 3D fibrous structures based on PLA and biomass waste fillers namely as Opuntia Ficus Indica (OFI), Posidonia oceanica Leaves (POL) and lignin (LIG) were successfully developed via wet solution blow spinning and characterized to explore their potential application for wastewater treatment. Methylene blue, (MB) and fat oil and greases mixture (FOG) were used to verify the effectiveness of the prepared materials for the separation/removal of pollutants. PLA composites containing LIG and POL exhibited superior performance in both MB absorption and FOG removal, thanks to their increased surface area and the oleophilic properties of lignin both contributing to the enhancement of the hydrophobic behavior of the structures. Elovich kinetic model was successfully applied to the adsorption data, suggesting that the adsorption process is quite complex, likely influenced by surface heterogeneity and site saturation phenomena. Moreover, PLA/POL and PLA/LIG fibrous structures demonstrated also satisfying stability maintaining good oil removal efficiency across four reuse cycles. These results underline the potential of integrating biodegradable polymers and natural waste materials for creating efficient and ecofriendly solutions for wastewater treatment.