Hydrogel Balls Developed for Use in the Detection of Heavy Metals in Wastewater

Year 2025, Volume: 30 Issue: 1, 156 - 171, 29.04.2025

Muhammed Ertuğrul Çapan , Ebru Cingöz

https://doi.org/10.53433/yyufbed.1537452

Abstract

The study highlights the development of hydrogel beads for the detection of Nickel (Ni(II)) and Chromium (Cr(VI)) in industrial wastewater, providing an innovative solution to heavy metal pollution in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly manner. The beads change color when exposed to metals, making detection fast and simple. This technique makes a significant contribution to occupational health and safety by providing real-time detection of harmful heavy metals, thereby reducing the risk of exposure to workers. Additionally, the hydrogel beads aim to protect both worker health and surrounding ecosystems by helping industries meet environmental standards. Key findings include detection limits of 2.5 mg/mL for nickel and 1 mg/mL for chromium, and color changes stabilizing within 10 min. The hydrogels exhibited excellent swelling behavior with equilibrium swelling ratios of 72.65% for nickel and 64.18% for chromium, providing high efficiency in moisture absorption and retention. These features, combined with their ability to function without pretreatment or pH adjustment, offer an accessible and effective solution for managing metal pollution in industrial environments. Overall, the hydrogel beads demonstrated a success rate of 90.56% for nickel and 91.60% for chromium in detecting and measuring metal ions, providing an accessible and effective method for managing metal contamination in industrial environments while protecting both worker health and environmental integrity.

Keywords

Colorimetric analysis, Heavy metal, Hydrogel, Occupational health and safety

Atık Sularda Bulunan Ağır Metallerin Tespitinde Kullanılmak Üzere Geliştirilmiş Hidrojel Toplar

Abstract

Çalışma, endüstriyel atık sularda Nikel (Ni(II)) ve Krom (Cr(VI)) tespiti için hidrojel boncuklarının geliştirilmesini vurgulayarak, ağır metal kirliliğine uygun maliyetli ve çevre dostu bir şekilde yenilikçi bir çözüm sunmaktadır. Boncuklar metallere maruz kaldığında renk değiştirerek tespiti hızlı ve basit hale getirmektedir. Bu teknik, zararlı ağır metallerin gerçek zamanlı tespitini sağlayarak iş sağlığı ve güvenliğine önemli bir katkı sağlamaktadır ve böylece çalışanların maruz kalma risklerini azaltmaktadır. Ek olarak, hidrojel toplar endüstrilerin çevre standartlarını karşılamasına yardımcı olarak hem çalışan sağlığını hem de çevre ekosistemlerini korumayı hedeflemektedir. Ana bulgular arasında nikel için 2,5 mg/mL ve krom için 1 mg/mL'lik tespit limitleri ve renk değişimlerinin 10 dakika içinde sabitlenmesi yer almaktadır. Hidrojeller, nikel için %72,65 ve krom için %64,18'lik denge şişme oranlarıyla mükemmel şişme davranışı göstererek nem emilimi ve tutulmasında yüksek verimlilik sağlamıştır.. Bu özellikler, ön işlem veya pH ayarlaması olmadan işlev görme yetenekleriyle birleştiğinde, endüstriyel ortamlarda metal kontaminasyonunu yönetmek için erişilebilir ve etkili bir çözüm sunmaktadır. Genel olarak hidrojel boncuklar, metal iyonlarını tespit etme ve ölçmede nikel için %90,56, krom için %91,60 başarı yüzdesi sergileyerek hem işçi sağlığını hem de çevresel bütünlüğü koruyarak endüstriyel ortamlarda metal kirliliğini yönetmek için erişilebilir ve etkili bir yöntem sunmaktadır.

Keywords

Ağır metal, Hidrojel, İş sağlığı ve güvenliği, Kolorimetrik analiz

Thanks

This research was supported by Quasis Research ARGE Biotechnology and Software Ltd. Co. We extend our sincere thanks to Quasis Research ARGE for their valuable contributions and support throughout this study.

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