Spent Coffee Bioelastomeric Composite Foams for the Removal of Pb²⁺ and Hg²⁺ from Water

Herein we present an interesting approach for the reutilization of coffee waste in water remediation. This is achieved by the development of bioelastomeric foams composed of 60 wt % of spent coffee powder and 40 wt % of silicone elastomer using the sugar leaching technique. In this study, we present the necessary characteristics of the developed “green” foams for the successful removal of Pb 2+ and Hg 2+ ions from water, and we identify the involved mechanisms. The capability of the bioelastomeric foams to interact with Pb 2+ and Hg 2+ is not affected by the presence of other metal ions in water as tests in real wastewater demonstrate. The incorporation of the spent coffee powder in a solid porous support, without compromising its functionality, facilitates the handling and allows the accumulation of the pollutants into the foams enabling their safe disposal. The fabricated foams can be used for the continuous filtration and removal of metal ions from water, demonstrating their versatility, in contrast to the sole coffee powder utilized so far, opening the way for the reutilization and valorization of this particular waste.