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Environmentally Friendly 3D Cellulose Aerogels for Solar Steam Generation and Versatile Environmental Applications
Summary
Researchers developed eco-friendly 3D cellulose aerogels that simultaneously enable solar-driven water evaporation and rapid microplastic adsorption at 335.6 mg/g, with a beeswax-modified variant achieving over 99% oil separation efficiency—all from renewable materials that maintain performance across multiple reuse cycles. This multifunctional, sustainable material addresses three major water quality threats—scarcity, microplastic contamination, and oil spills—offering a scalable green alternative to synthetic adsorbents.
Global water scarcity and aquatic pollution from microplastics and oil spills remain critical environmental challenges, requiring sustainable and multifunctional treatment materials. This study developed a new strategy to create environmentally friendly 3D cellulose aerogels, referred to as black cellulose aerogel (BCA) and black cellulose aerogel with beeswax (BCAW). These aerogels were produced using a simple, fast freeze-drying method with eco-friendly precursors. The unique 3D porous network of BCA enables strong light absorption, interfacial heat localization, and efficient water transport, resulting in a much higher evaporation rate compared to seawater under artificial light, highlighting its potential for solar steam generation. In addition, the hydrophilic cellulose framework facilitates electrostatic interaction and rapid adsorption of microplastics, achieving equilibrium within 60 min with an adsorption capacity of 335.6 mg·g⁻¹. Furthermore, surface modification with beeswax imparts superhydrophobicity to BCAW (water contact angle ≈ 155°), enabling efficient oil uptake with a high absorption capacity (89.6 g·g⁻¹) and separation efficiency above 99%. Even after multiple recycling cycles, the aerogels reported in this study still maintained a strong performance, making them a promising and sustainable solution for versatile environmental applications. This study presents the first development of black cellulose aerogels (BCA and BCAW) using a fast, green freeze-drying method with sustainable materials. Unlike previous cellulose-based aerogels, these materials uniquely integrate solar steam generation, microplastic adsorption, and oil/water separation into one platform. The incorporation of beeswax (BCAW) further enhances hydrophobicity for efficient oil recovery. The aerogels exhibit high recyclability and performance retention, setting them apart from their conventional counterparts. This multifunctionality, combined with low-cost and eco-friendly fabrication, positions BCA and BCAW as innovative, scalable solutions for diverse environmental challenges.