Regenerated cellulose/chitosan composite aerogel with highly efficient adsorption for anionic dyes

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Environmental Science
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Developing sustainable adsorbents for wastewater treatment is crucial.
• Composite aerogels offer unique properties for pollutant removal.
• Cotton cellulose and chitosan are abundant biopolymers with potential applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize a novel, reusable, and highly compressible cotton regenerated cellulose/chitosan composite aerogel (RC/CSCA).
• To investigate the structural properties and adsorption capabilities of the developed RC/CSCA for toxic anionic dyes.
• To evaluate the environmental adaptability and recyclability of the RC/CSCA for wastewater remediation.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO) as a green solvent for cellulose regeneration from cotton pulp.
• Employing glutaraldehyde (GA) as a crosslinking agent to form a stable 3D porous structure with chitosan.
• Characterizing the aerogel's density, porosity, thermal stability, and adsorption performance.

Main Results:

• The synthesized RC/CSCA exhibited ultralow density (13.92 mg/cm³), high porosity (97.36%), and excellent thermal stability (above 300 °C).
• The composite demonstrated effective and selective removal of toxic anionic dyes, with a maximal adsorption capacity of 742.68 mg/g for methyl orange.
• The RC/CSCA showed high removal efficiency (95.83%), good environmental adaptability, and recyclability.

Conclusions:

• The developed RC/CSCA is a promising biocomposite adsorbent for efficient and sustainable removal of anionic dyes from wastewater.
• The use of green solvents and abundant biopolymers highlights the environmentally friendly nature of the material.
• The high compressibility, reusability, and adsorption capacity make RC/CSCA a viable alternative to conventional adsorbents.