Compressible lignin-enhanced holocellulose aerogel for adsorption applications

The development of sustainable aerogels is hindered by the brittleness of inorganic varieties and the environmental burden of synthetic polymers. Herein, we have achieved the simultaneous dissolution and reconfiguration of holocellulose and lignin by employing an environmentally friendly solvent system, enabling the green fabrication of high-performance holocellulose-based aerogels incorporating all major wood components. The resultant aerogel exhibits an integrated performance, including remarkable flexibility (withstanding over 90% compression), a high specific surface area (188 m²·g^-1), and superior adsorption capacity for methylene blue (18.86 mg·g^-1, 95.8% removal). The role of lignin in tailoring the porous structure and enhancing adsorption via π-π stacking and electrostatic interactions was systematically elucidated. Furthermore, gelation kinetics and adsorption mechanism models are established, providing theoretical guidance for the controllable preparation of eco-friendly advanced aerogels and promoting the synergistic development of biomass valorization and wastewater treatment technologies.