Cellulose Nanofibril Based-Aerogel Microreactors: A High Efficiency and Easy Recoverable W/O/W Membrane Separation...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Conventional emulsion liquid membrane (ELM) processes face challenges with demulsification.
• Efficient extraction and separation of molecules and ions from wastewater are critical for environmental remediation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel cellulose nanofibril aerogel-based water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) microreactor system.
• To achieve fast and highly efficient extraction and separation of molecules or ions.
• To overcome the demulsification barrier in traditional ELM processes.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of ultra-light cellulose nanofibril aerogel microspheres with high porosity and water storage capacity.
• Formation of a stable water-in-oil (W/O) suspension using stripping solution-saturated aerogel microspheres dispersed in an oil phase.
• Dispersion of the W/O suspension in wastewater to create the W/O/W microreactor system.

Main Results:

• The W/O/W microreactor system demonstrated rapid transport of molecules/ions to the internal water phase.
• Extracted 93% phenol and 82% Cu2+ from external water phase within minutes.
• Aerogel microspheres were easily removed by filtration/centrifugation and reused after squeezing and washing.

Conclusions:

• The novel cellulose nanofibril aerogel W/O/W microreactor offers a promising alternative to traditional ELM for efficient extraction and separation.
• The system's ease of separation and reusability of aerogel microspheres address key limitations of existing technologies.
• This technology holds significant potential for industrial applications in wastewater treatment and resource recovery.