Lightweight hydrophobic cellulose foam material with low density and high porosity applications in Cu (II) adsorption

Cellulose foam, renowned for its lightweight properties and exceptional adsorption capacity, has emerged as a significant material of interest. In our study, a distinct functionalized cellulose foam adsorbent was developed using N,N-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as a cross-linker. This foam was further chemically tailored with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and tannic acid (TA) to optimize its affinity for Cu (II). Utilizing a green and efficient procedure at ambient temperature, MBA was directly crosslinked with MCC sol, the resultant foam features a distinguished three-dimensional, multi-walled porous configuration, marked by a strikingly low average density of 0.0306 g/cm(3) and an impressive average porosity surpassing 97%. Subsequently, more amino and oxygen-containing groups were introduced by simple impregnation. The rich functional groups and unique structure enabled the adsorption of Cu (II) up to 93 mg/g, demonstrating an increasing trend in line with rising Cu (II) concentrations. Furthermore, this composite cellulose foam displayed commendable hydrophobic characteristics, evident from a hydrophobic angle surpassing 120(degrees). From both environmental and economic perspectives, this chemically-modified cellulose material epitomizes an ideal adsorbent, showcasing unparalleled adsorption capacity coupled with robust chemical and structural integrity. As such, it presents a viable option for the efficient sequestration of Cu (II) in wastewater treatments.