Compendious review on 3D-printed gels for effluent treatment

Abstract

Direct ink writing (DIW) has emerged as an innovative and efficient method for gel synthesis, presenting numerous advantages over conventional techniques. Leveraging a diverse array of raw materials, DIW offers precise control over gel construction, facilitating the fabrication of materials with larger pore sizes. This capability contrasts with traditional methods like ionic gelation, which typically produce a maximum pore size of 130 μm. The increasing demand for materials with exceptional adsorption properties, especially for effluent treatment, has driven extensive research in this domain. While traditional gel preparation methods remain valuable, they exhibit inherent limitations. Thus, there is a pressing need for more efficient and scalable approaches to gel synthesis. DIW serves as a superior alternative, providing enhanced control over printing parameters and enabling the customization of materials to meet specific requirements. This paper not only addresses the limitations of traditional methods but also highlights the benefits of utilizing DIW for gel formulation. Additionally, it offers an overview of commonly employed adsorption isotherm and kinetic models and explores the applications of DIW-printed gels in effluent treatment. Given the expanding body of research in this area, this critical and comprehensive review underscores the potential of DIW in the adsorption of pollutants from wastewater.