Development of novel protein-based biomaterials for sustainable water purification from heavy metals

Limited natural resources and the need of clean water demand new innovative materials and technologies, which are affordable, sustainable and resilient.

This project aims to develop new protein-based biomaterials with uniquely tunable properties for metal ion binding, which can be used for e.g. water purification from heavy metals.Novel biomaterials will be produced in the form of nanofibers or hydrogels, built up by designed proteins tailored for efficient, specific and controllable metal ion binding.

These proteins consist of a hyper-soluble part, derived from spider silk proteins, and an optimized metal ion binding peptide sequence.

Due to the customized design, metal ion binding is highly specific and exhibits enhanced binding affinity compared to existing materials.

The developed biomaterials are also biodegradable – an intrinsic property of protein materials – and provide cost-efficient ways for metal recycling based on the high ion specificity and controlled release of metal ions.Potential applications for these new materials may be found in diverse fields, and we will initially explore their application in filtration and recycling of heavy metals from water.

In the final stage of the project, the developed biomaterials will be implemented into two proof-of-concept applications for water purification:(i) composite membranes made from protein nanofibers and activated carbon and (ii) biofilm-coated magnetic beads.