Abstract
The increasing water pollution and environmental concerns worldwide have led to the need for innovative, sustainable, and cost-effective solutions for environmental remediation. Several materials and methods have been effectively introduced to improve the environmental remediation processes. Aerogels are unique solid materials with low density highly porous framework, which restrains more than 90% air volume. Owing to extraordinary characteristics, such as high specific surface area, controlled porosity, extreme buoyancy, non-flammability, low refractive index, and thermal insulation makes it highly advantageous in various applications including environmental remediation. To develop a cost-effective and environmentally friendly material for environmental remediation, using renewable resources as precursors is one of the most successful approaches. Aerogels derived from natural polymers, such as chitosan, cellulose, lignin, and alginate have demonstrated notable characteristics for environmental remediation, including wastewater treatment, heavy metal removal, oil spill clean-up, photocatalytic degradation, CO2 removal, and contaminant disinfection. In this context, biopolymer-based aerogels are specifically attractive due to their sustainable nature with improved efficiency. Moreover, performance and stability of these aerogels have been enhanced by incorporating nanomaterials to prepare biopolymer-based aerogel nanocomposites. This book chapter highlights the synthesis and application of biopolymers-based aerogels and their nanocomposites in environmental remediation. It emphasizes the strategies needed for optimize their properties and enhance their performance. Moreover, the chapter provides valuable insights into the current progress, challenges, and prospects of these sustainable materials and their applications in environmental remediation.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call