Colloid‐Mediated Fabrication of a 3D Pollen Sponge for Oil Remediation Applications

Abstract

There is tremendous interest in developing 3D scaffolds from natural materials for a wide range of healthcare, energy, photonic, and environmental science applications. To date, most natural materials that are used to make 3D scaffolds consist of fibril structures; however, it would be advantageous to explore the development of scaffolds from natural materials with distinct supramolecular structures. Herein, the fabrication of a mechanically responsive pollen sponge that exhibits tunable 3D scaffold properties and is useful for oil remediation applications is reported. By using pollen‐based microgel particles as colloidal building blocks, the sponge fabrication process is optimized by tuning the processing conditions during freeze‐drying and thermal annealing steps. Stearic acid functionalization transforms the pollen sponge into a hydrophobic scaffold that can readily and repeatedly absorb oil and other organic solvents from contaminated water sources, with similar performance levels to commercial, synthetic polymer‐based absorbents and an improved environmental footprint.

Research progress on eco-friendly superhydrophobic materials in environment, energy and biology

“…With a change in the SA concentration, the maximum contact angle of sponge pollen can reach 1451. 77,78…”

Engineering Natural Pollen Grains as Multifunctional 3D Printing Materials

“…Pollen microgel-based structures were thermally stable was up to 200 °C. [40] Based on our recent strategy on the recyclability of the alginate microgel-based supporting matrix, [41] the pollen suspension will be further optimized to improve recyclability under heat cycles.…”

Micromotor‐in‐Sponge Platform for Multicycle Large‐Volume Degradation of Organic Pollutants

“…Although promising degradation methods based on biodegradation [3,4] or photocatalytic [5] processes have been reported, advanced oxidative processes (AOPs) based on the generation of strong oxidizing agents (e.g., hydroxyl radicals, sulfate radicals) have from organic pollutants to oil spill. [51] They have been applied both as sponge membranes in bioreactors [52,53] or stand-alone absorption platforms, where both their surface topography [54] or chemical composition [55][56][57][58] were studied, as well as exploring alternative composites for faster magnetic separation [59] or precise motion control by applying external magnetic fields. [60] However, it is important to note that for the examples previously mentioned, there was only a pollutant separation for recovery purposes, but no degradation process was undertaken either during the collection process or afterwards.…”