The emergence of nanocellulose aerogels in CO₂ adsorption

Mitigating the effect of climate change toward a sustainable development is one of the main challenges of our century. The emission of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide (CO₂), is a leading cause of the global warming crisis. To address this issue, various sustainable strategies have been formulated for CO₂ capture. Renewable nanocellulose aerogels have risen as a highly attractive candidate for CO₂ capture thanks to their porous and surface-tunable nature. Nanocellulose offer distinctive characteristics, including significant aspect ratios, exceptional biodegradability, lightweight nature, and the ability for chemical modification due to the abundant presence of hydroxyl groups. In this review, recent research studies on nanocellulose-based aerogels designed for CO₂ absorption have been highlighted. The state-of-the-art of nanocellulose-based aerogel has been thoroughly assessed, including their synthesis, drying methods, and characterization techniques. Additionally, discussions were held about the mechanisms of CO₂ adsorption, the effects of the porous structure, surface functionalization, and experimental parameters. Ultimately, this synthesis review provides an overview of the achieved adsorption rates using nanocellulose-based aerogels and outlines potential improvements that could lead to optimal adsorption rates. Overall, this research holds significant promise for tackling the challenges of climate change and contributing to a more sustainable future.