Milestones of hydrogel-based sorbents used in specific applications in analytical chemistry towards education for sustainable environment

Abstract

Hydrogel-based sorbents have emerged as excellent materials in analytical chemistry, especially in efforts toward a sustainable environment. These versatile substances, characterized by their high water absorption capacity and biocompatibility, are increasingly utilized for the selective extraction as well as the removal of various pollutants, including heavy metals and organic micro-pollutants, from environmental samples. Notably, the shift towards multifunctional hydrogels illustrates a commitment to synthesizing materials that perform well in diverse environmental conditions, reflecting a growing demand for eco-friendly analytical practices. This review covers information related to hydrogel-based sorbents with special emphasis on their utilization in both extraction processes and the removal of pollutants in the environment. It starts with the methods of synthesis of hydrogel-based sorbents considering the environmental impact, but also the evaluation of ecotoxicology of the hydrogel-based sorbent components is presented, together with economical aspects of synthesis and future processes. In addition, the application of hydrogel-based sorbents as the extractive medium as well as the medium for the removal of specific pollutants are deeply described with specific examples. In addition, the general discussion on enriching systems thinking and social sustainability through education is provided as we see this point as important from the society point of view.