Superhydrophobic aerogel membrane with integrated functions of biopolymers for efficient oil/water separation

Biopolymeric Fibrous Aerogels: The Sustainable Alternative for Water Remediation

“…In the last decade, the generation of aerogels based on biopolymers has attracted the scientific community’s interest due to the need to generate materials that have a sustainable origin and come from cleaner and more environmentally friendly processes [ 23 , 24 ]. Such interest has grown exponentially in recent years, as evidenced by the increase in publications on the subject [ 25 ], showing that the most researched biopolymers so far are polysaccharides (i.e., cellulose and its derivatives, alginates, chitosan, pectin, and starch), proteins [ 26 , 27 ], and to a lesser extent phenolic compounds (i.e., tannins, lignin).…”

Fundamentals and utilization of solid/ liquid phase boundary interactions on functional surfaces

“…Examples for superhydrophobic separation systems utilize the inherent wetting properties materials such as hydrophobized (mostly fluorinated) silica nanoparticles [263], alginates [264], poly(phenylene sulfide) (PFS) [265], carbon nanotubes and PDMS [266], while the wetting character of superhydrophilic systems can be attributed to for example cthitosan [267,268], poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) [269], cellulose derivatives [270], polydopamine [63], silica [270], alumina [271] or titania [272] particles and graphene oxide [63]. Regarding the preparation of amphyphilic membranes, responsive materials such as pNIPAAm and NIPAAm copolymers are quite popular [273], while Janus membranes are usually prepared through the one-side oxidative treatment of originally hydrophobic membranes [262].…”

Effect of the Lignin Structure on the Physicochemical Properties of Lignin-Grafted-Poly(ε-caprolactone) and Its Application for Water/Oil Separation

“…The biodegradability of lignin -g- PCLs was also measured by lipase hydrolysis. Inspired by the naturally water-resistance function, lignin has been widely applied to fabricate hydrophobic filtration or absorption materials for water/oil separation. − We used lignin- g -PCLs to coat on filter paper (FP) for separating water and oil mixtures to explore new applications of lignin- g -PCLs. The present study is expected to provide a fundamental understanding of lignin copolymerization and advance lignin biorefinery and valorization.…”

“…33,36 For instance, an aerogel membrane fabricated by lignin, trimethoxymethylsilane, graphene oxide, and sodium alginate displayed a maximum separating efficiency above 95% for chloroform, and the separating efficiency was still above 90% after 10 reuses. 36 Moreover, CFP constructed with acetonitrile-extracted lignin and silica particles exhibited a maximum separating efficiency of 98.6% for chloroform (remained 96.6% at the fifth cycle) and above 95% for petroleum ether and hexane. 33 During separation, the lignin component seems to play a waterblocking barrier that stops water on the top, and the modified hydrophobic surface enables the infiltration of the organic solvent through CFP-C. Reusability is a significant parameter for filtration materials applied for wastewater processing.…”

“…The separation efficiencies are comparable with reported lignin-based two-dimensional filtration biomaterials, such as CFP and membrane. 33,36 For instance, an aerogel membrane fabricated by lignin, trimethoxymethylsilane, graphene oxide, and sodium alginate displayed a maximum separating efficiency above 95% for chloroform, and the separating efficiency was still above 90% after 10 reuses. 36 Moreover, CFP constructed with acetonitrile-extracted lignin and silica particles exhibited a maximum separating efficiency of 98.6% for chloroform (remained 96.6% at the fifth cycle) and above 95% for petroleum ether and hexane.…”