Epoxy-Acrylate Functionalized Cellulose Aerogels: Physisorption-Driven Surface Engineering for Enhanced Dye...

This study introduces a novel interface engineering strategy for high-performance cellulose/poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) aerogels derived from coir fiber waste. To address structural fragility, postsynthesis reinforcement was achieved through conformal liquid epoxy-acrylate infiltration. Quantitative Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) analysis confirmed the existence of a pore-wall thickening mechanism that preserved the internal mesoporous network (radius: 1.9-2.6 nm) without interstitial blockage. The functionalized scaffold demonstrated significant thermal stabilization, with the maximum degradation temperature (T_max) shifting from 283°C to 307°C, coupled with superior mechanical resilience and a bulk density of 0.051 g/cm³. Methylene blue (MB) adsorption tests achieved 97.3% removal at pH 10, accurately modeled by pseudo-second-order kinetics and the Freundlich isotherm (R² = 0.980, RMSE = 1.507, and Χ² = 0.884), indicating spontaneous and endothermic multilayer physisorption. Furthermore, regeneration studies established 70% capacity retention over three cycles while maintaining full macroscopic integrity. These findings indicate that strategic resin infiltration provides a robust and sustainable pathway for the development of durable adsorbents for industrial wastewater remediation.