Construction and Particulate Filtration Performance of Bacterial Cellulose-Derived Aerogels Optimized by Plant...

Air pollution has emerged as a global challenge, posing significant threats to public health and human well being. This issue has garnered substantial attention from researchers focused on developing environmentally friendly and sustainable materials. This study synthesizes bacterial cellulose (BC)-derived aerogels based on plant polysaccharides and BC using a directional freeze-drying technique, followed by surface modification with methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS). The physicochemical characteristics of these BC-derived aerogels are thoroughly investigated to elucidate the interaction mechanisms between plant polysaccharides and bacterial cellulose at the molecular level, and their capabilities for particulate matter filtration are explored. The results demonstrate that incorporating plant polysaccharides and MTMS into BC aerogels results in synergistic mechanical properties characterized by a unique combination of softness and rigidity. Notably, sodium alginate shows the highest affinity for bacterial cellulose and MTMS, leading to optimal reinforcement effects. An oriented honeycomb structure forms internally within the aerogels, potentially reducing pressure drop. Furthermore, these aerogels exhibit a "fiber+pore" multi-filtration mechanism, achieving up to 97% filtration efficiency specifically for PM2.5 particles. These findings suggest bacterial cellulose-derived aerogels could be a sustainable alternative for mitigating air pollution.