Functional cellulose aerogel nanocomposites with enhanced adsorption capability and excellent photocatalytic...

A novel functional cellulose carbon aerogel@Na₂Ti₃O₇@Cu₂O (CA@Na₂Ti₃O₇@Cu₂O) nanocomposite was prepared by in situ growth technique and impregnation method, and its photocatalytic and adsorption properties were explored. The cationic intercalation structure of Na₂Ti₃O₇ nanosheets gives CA@Na₂Ti₃O₇@Cu₂O nanocomposites excellent adsorption capacity of heavy metal ions (31.0-118.7 mg/g). The Cu₂O nanoparticles in CA@Na₂Ti₃O₇@Cu₂O nanocomposite showed excellent photocatalytic activity, and the removal rate of methylene blue (MB) was up to 99 %. Furthermore, the CA@Na₂Ti₃O₇@Cu₂O nanocomposites could be easily regenerated and reused, providing a new way to effectively solve the problem of wastewater treatment containing heavy metal ions and organic dyes.