Comparative study of pH and polyelectrolyte-based composite formation: adsorption behaviour, time duration, and cost-effectiveness.

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Title: Comparative study of pH and polyelectrolyte-based composite formation: adsorption behaviour, time duration, and cost-effectiveness.
Authors: Ali, Mubasher1 (AUTHOR), Lin, Feng1 (AUTHOR), Su, Zhou1 (AUTHOR), Tan, Yuanfu1 (AUTHOR), Liao, Wei-Hsin1,2 (AUTHOR), Song, Xu1 (AUTHOR), Wong, Hay1,2,3,4 (AUTHOR) hay.wong@liverpool.ac.uk
Source: International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology. Mar2026, Vol. 143 Issue 5/6, p3217-3238. 22p.
Subjects: Adsorption (Chemistry), Acid-base chemistry, Particle size distribution, Composite materials, Surface charges, Electrolyte solutions, Economic efficiency
Abstract: Composites are vital materials renowned for their lightweight strength and versatility, making them suitable for a wide range of applications. Although various methods for composite formation have been explored, a comparative analysis of pH-based (using HCl and NaOH) and polyelectrolyte-based approaches remains scarce. This study addresses this gap by examining the adsorption behaviour, time efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of these two methods. Both polyelectrolytes and acid/base solutions were used to modify the surface charges of the adsorbent and adsorbate. Key findings include the identification of optimal parameters, such as a 60% guest particle loading for uniform adsorption and four polyelectrolyte layers with two washing cycles to stabilise surface charges in the polyelectrolyte-based method. Smaller host particles (1–3 μm) exhibited higher adsorption due to their greater surface area, with spherical particles showing more uniform adsorption than non-spherical particles. The comparative analysis showed that the pH-based method, optimised at pH 4, resulted in homogeneous composite powder formation without contamination. In contrast, the polyelectrolyte-based method faced challenges, including polymer contamination, agglomeration, and longer processing times. The pH-based method was more time-efficient, requiring 42.8% less time (375 min vs. 656 min) and offering potential cost savings of USD 2980 by eliminating the need for costly polymers and centrifugation equipment. Highlights: Optimal adsorption of Cu/TiO₂ composites occurred at pH 4, ensuring uniform guest particle distribution. The pH-based method was 42.9% faster than the polyelectrolyte method (375 vs. 656 minutes). The pH-based method could save up to USD 2,980, offering a more cost-effective approach.Smaller host particles (1–3 µm) showed higher adsorption due to their greater surface area. The pH-based method outperformed the polyelectrolyte method in adsorption uniformity, with fewer issues like polymer contamination and agglomeration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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  Data: Comparative study of pH and polyelectrolyte-based composite formation: adsorption behaviour, time duration, and cost-effectiveness.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ali%2C+Mubasher%22">Ali, Mubasher</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lin%2C+Feng%22">Lin, Feng</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Su%2C+Zhou%22">Su, Zhou</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Tan%2C+Yuanfu%22">Tan, Yuanfu</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Liao%2C+Wei-Hsin%22">Liao, Wei-Hsin</searchLink><relatesTo>1,2</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Song%2C+Xu%22">Song, Xu</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Wong%2C+Hay%22">Wong, Hay</searchLink><relatesTo>1,2,3,4</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> hay.wong@liverpool.ac.uk</i>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22International+Journal+of+Advanced+Manufacturing+Technology%22">International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology</searchLink>. Mar2026, Vol. 143 Issue 5/6, p3217-3238. 22p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Adsorption+%28Chemistry%29%22">Adsorption (Chemistry)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Acid-base+chemistry%22">Acid-base chemistry</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Particle+size+distribution%22">Particle size distribution</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Composite+materials%22">Composite materials</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Surface+charges%22">Surface charges</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Electrolyte+solutions%22">Electrolyte solutions</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Economic+efficiency%22">Economic efficiency</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Composites are vital materials renowned for their lightweight strength and versatility, making them suitable for a wide range of applications. Although various methods for composite formation have been explored, a comparative analysis of pH-based (using HCl and NaOH) and polyelectrolyte-based approaches remains scarce. This study addresses this gap by examining the adsorption behaviour, time efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of these two methods. Both polyelectrolytes and acid/base solutions were used to modify the surface charges of the adsorbent and adsorbate. Key findings include the identification of optimal parameters, such as a 60% guest particle loading for uniform adsorption and four polyelectrolyte layers with two washing cycles to stabilise surface charges in the polyelectrolyte-based method. Smaller host particles (1–3 μm) exhibited higher adsorption due to their greater surface area, with spherical particles showing more uniform adsorption than non-spherical particles. The comparative analysis showed that the pH-based method, optimised at pH 4, resulted in homogeneous composite powder formation without contamination. In contrast, the polyelectrolyte-based method faced challenges, including polymer contamination, agglomeration, and longer processing times. The pH-based method was more time-efficient, requiring 42.8% less time (375 min vs. 656 min) and offering potential cost savings of USD 2980 by eliminating the need for costly polymers and centrifugation equipment. Highlights: Optimal adsorption of Cu/TiO₂ composites occurred at pH 4, ensuring uniform guest particle distribution. The pH-based method was 42.9% faster than the polyelectrolyte method (375 vs. 656 minutes). The pH-based method could save up to USD 2,980, offering a more cost-effective approach.Smaller host particles (1–3 µm) showed higher adsorption due to their greater surface area. The pH-based method outperformed the polyelectrolyte method in adsorption uniformity, with fewer issues like polymer contamination and agglomeration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1007/s00170-026-17585-w
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        PageCount: 22
        StartPage: 3217
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Adsorption (Chemistry)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Acid-base chemistry
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Particle size distribution
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Composite materials
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Surface charges
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      – SubjectFull: Electrolyte solutions
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Economic efficiency
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      – TitleFull: Comparative study of pH and polyelectrolyte-based composite formation: adsorption behaviour, time duration, and cost-effectiveness.
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            NameFull: Ali, Mubasher
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              M: 03
              Text: Mar2026
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              Y: 2026
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