Cellulose Nanofibrils Research Articles

Pulmonary inflammatory responses and retention dynamics of cellulose nanofibrils.

Cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) are advanced biomaterials valued for their strength, lightweight nature, and low thermal expansion, making them suitable for diverse industrial applications. However, their potential inhalation risks necessitate thorough safety evaluations. This study investigates the pulmonary inflammatory effects and retention of CNFs following intratracheal instillation in rats. TEMPO-oxidized CNF (CNF1; 11.5 nm × 1.8 μm), mechanically fibrillated CNF (CNF2; 23.9 nm × 2.4 μm), and shorter-fibrillated CNF (CNF3; 21.6 nm × 1.2 μm) were administered at 2.0 mg/kg body weight. Endotoxin contamination was assessed using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) controls. Pulmonary inflammation was evaluated 28 days post-instillation, and lung retention of chemically stained CNFs was tracked for 90 days. Results indicated: (1) CNFs were taken up by alveolar macrophages, but no significant acute inflammation was observed; (2) CNF characteristics, particularly fiber diameter and length, play a key role in influencing lung inflammation responses and determining inflammation sites; (3) endotoxin levels in the CNF dispersions may have limited effects on inflammatory responses; and (4) CNFs persist in lung tissue for extended periods, indicating slow clearance. While immediate inflammatory responses were minimal, the prolonged retention of CNFs in the lungs could contribute to chronic low-grade inflammation. Given the variability in CNF properties influenced by raw materials and manufacturing processes, it is essential to test each CNF type individually, including toxicological endpoints beyond inflammation, to accurately assess their potential health risks.

Implantation of web-like cellulose nanofibrils on electrospun fibrous membrane for boosting filtration performance.

Air pollution such as particulate matter is always a serious threat to public health, thus many disposable and degradable air filters were designed to deal with this severe challenge avoiding the secondary pollution after discarding. Herein, inspired by the natural spider web structure, a hierarchical porous composite fibrous membrane containing web-like cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) was developed. The implanted porous CNF membranes with web-like among the inter-fiber voids of electrospun poly(ethylene-co-viny alcohol) fibrous membrane were realized via a layer-by-layer (LBL) method followed by an elevated-temperature drying, which exhibit a smaller diameter with one or two orders of magnitude reduction comparing with the substrate fibers. The morphology of implanted CNF membranes can be regulated by changing the CNF dispersion concentration, PH, solution composition as well as the LBL times. The addition of a small amount of isopropyl alcohol to the CNF solution can efficiently facilitate the implantation of web-like CNF on substrate, resulting in both improvements on the mechanical properties and filtration capacity. The result shows that the implanted web-like CNF of as-prepared composite membrane can enhance the PM 0.3 capture ability (reaching 96.8%) while not surge its pressure drop (225.7Pa) exceeding N95 standard. This work presents a new design and fabrication of CNF-based filter materials directly without using freeze drying, which can not only provide a fully or partially biodegradable air filter but also give encouragement to explore new filters efficiently.

Stable, recyclable, hybrid ionic-electronic conductive hydrogels with non-covalent networks enhanced by bagasse cellulose nanofibrils for wearable sensors.

Conductive hydrogels are utilized in flexible sensors due to their high-water content, excellent elasticity, and shape controllability. However, the sharp increase in resistance of this material under enormous strain leads to instability in the sensing process. This study presents a straightforward method for creating a stable, recyclable, hybrid ionic-electronic conductive (HIEC) hydrogel via a simple one-pot strategy using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), bagasse cellulose nanofibrils (CNF), and graphene(G) with sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS). The SDBS/G hemimicelles are formed through hydrophobic and π-π stacking interactions between SDBS and G, enhancing the dispersibility of G. Then SDBS/G hemimicelles were integrated into a non-covalent cross-linking network from CNF and PVA, which ensures recyclability and stability. The CNF-PVA-Graphene (CPG) hydrogel exhibited high and stable sensing sensitivity (average gauge factor up to 1.99), high conductivity (0.36S/m), low graphene concentration (0.16wt%), low detection limit (1%), and fast response time (0.17s). The sensor can detect large (wrist and knee) and small (pulse and laryngeal prominence) body movements. After recycling, the hydrogel sensors maintained high conductivity sensitivity (average gauge factor up to 1.01) and good tensile properties (360% strain). This study introduces a new approach of hybrid conductive biomass-based hydrogel sensors for precisely monitoring human movements.

Deciphering adsorption behaviour and mechanisms of enhanced phosphate removal via optimized cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-modified nanofibrillated cellulose.

To combat the persistent environmental issues resulting from eutrophication, it is necessary to scavenge excess phosphorous levels from aquatic ecosystems. In response, a cationic adsorbent was prepared by modifying agrowaste-derived natural biomacromolecule; nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactant. Comprehensive characterization through XRD, FTIR, HR-SEM, SEM-EDX, BET and XPS demonstrated that quaternizing NFC significantly improved its surface chemistry by introducing substantial quaternary ammonium groups. This modification imparted positive ζ potential across broad pH range, underscoring a strong affinity for negatively charged phosphate ions. Enhanced roughness and improved spatial dispersion led to nearly threefold increase in phosphate removal efficiency compared to pristine NFC, attributable to a higher number of available active sites. The adsorption process followed pseudo-second-order kinetic and Sips isotherm model, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 21.78 mg P/g, reaching equilibrium within 120 min. Besides, the prepared adsorbent demonstrated pH-dependent adsorption and displayed stable adsorption capacity particularly at weakly acidic or neutral pH conditions. Furthermore, it exhibited excellent retention capacity with only 12.61 % desorption rates over three cycles. Both XPS and FTIR results revealed that electrostatic adsorption (based on Lewis acid-base principle) and hydrogen bonding were primary adsorption mechanism.

Systematic development and bioprinting of novel nanostructured multi-material bioinks for bone tissue engineering

A functional bioink with potential in bone tissue engineering must be subjected to critical investigation throughout its intended lifespan. The aim of this study was to develop alginate-gelatin-based (Alg-Gel) multicomponent bioinks systematically and to assess the short- and long-term exposure responses of human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSCs) printed within these bioinks with and without crosslinking.The first generation of bioinkswas established by incorporating a range of cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs), to evaluate their effect on viscosity, printability and cell viability. Adding CNFs to Alg-Gel solution increased viscosity and printability without compromising cell viability. Inthe second generation of bioinks, the influence of nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) on the performance of the optimized Alg-Gel-CNF formulation was investigated. The addition of nHA increased the viscosity and improved printability, and an adjustment in alginate concentration improved the stability of the structures in long-term culture. The third generation bioink incorporated RGD-functionalized alginate to support cell attachment and osteogenic differentiation. The optimized bioink composition exhibited improved printability, structural integrity in long-term culture and high hBMSC viability. In addition, the final bioink composition, RGD-Alg-Gel-CNF-nHA, showed osteogenic potential: production of the osteogenic marker proteins (Runx2, OCN), enzyme (ALP), and gene expression (Runx2,OCN). A further aim of the study was to evaluate the osteogenic functionality of cells released from the structures after bioprinting. Cells were printed in two bioinks with different viscosities and incubated at 37 °C in growth medium without additional CaCl2. This caused gelatin to dissolve, releasing the cells to attach to tissue culture plates. The results demonstrated differences in hBMSC osteogenic differentiation. Moreover, the osteogenic differentiation of the released cells was different from that of the embedded cells cultured in 3D. Thus, this systematic investigation into bioink development shows improved results through the generations and sheds light on the biological effects of the bioprinting process.

A 3D Cell-Culture System That Uses Nano-Fibrillated Bacterial Cellulose to Prepare a Spherical Formulation of Culture Cells.

A 3-dimensional (3D) cell culture is now being actively pursued to accomplish the in vivo-like cellular morphology and biological functions in cell culture. We recently obtained nano-fibrillated bacterial cellulose (NFBC). In this study, we developed a novel NFBC-based 3D cell-culture system, the OnGel method, and the Suspension method. HepG2 human liver cancer cells were cultured via these methods and formed spherical formulations in the optimized condition, 1.0% (w/v) of NFBC in the OnGel method, and 0.06-0.10% (w/v) of NFBC in the Suspension method. Non-cancerous cells such as human-induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells and human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) also formed spherical formulations. It is noteworthy that both the size and cell viability of spheroids prepared via these methods were comparable to those cultured using commercially available 3D cell-culture systems. Both OnGel and Suspension methods are less complicated than the existing 3D cell-culture systems, which is an invaluable advantage for the preparation of cancer spheroids. The NFBC-based 3D cell-culture systems introduced here show great promise as a tool to prepare cultures for cell-derived spheroids for the progress of both in vitro and in vivo studies of the biological functioning of cells.

Sustainable and Flexible Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Transducer: Gold Nanoparticle-Bacterial Cellulose Composite for Pesticide Monitoring in Agrifood Systems

Functionalized plasmonic nanostructure platforms are widely used for developing optical biosensors and SERS assays. In this work, we present a low-cost and scalable surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) system based on an innovative optical transducer comprising gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) embedded in nano-fibrillated bacterial cellulose (BC). The AuNPs@BC composite leverages the unique nanofibrillar architecture of bacterial cellulose, which provides a high surface area, flexibility, and uniform nanoparticle distribution, enabling the formation of numerous electromagnetic “hot spots”. This structure excites localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), as demonstrated by a bulk sensitivity of 72 nm/RIU, and supports enhanced Raman signal amplification. The eco-friendly and disposable AuNPs@BC platform was tested for agrifood applications, focusing on the detection of thiram pesticide. The system achieved a detection limit of 0.24 ppm (1 µM), meeting the sensitivity requirements for regulatory compliance in food safety. A strong linear correlation (R2 ≈ 0.99) was observed between the SERS peak intensity at 1370 cm−1 and thiram concentrations, underscoring its potential for quantitative analysis. The combination of high sensitivity, reproducibility, and environmental sustainability makes the AuNPs@BC platform a promising solution for developing cost-effective, flexible, and portable sensors for pesticide monitoring and other biosensing applications.

Nanocellulose-toughened super-stretchable ionic conductive gel fibers for wearable strain sensors.

In recent years, conductive gel materials have attracted extensive attention in the field of flexible electronics because of their excellent elasticity. When constructed as gel fibers, they can adapt to greater deformation, be woven, and be assembled with fabrics to make wearable smart devices without compromising comfort. However, gel fibers reported often exhibit insufficient mechanical properties and poor adaptability to different environment. Herein, a super-stretchable ionic conductive gel fiber is reported. It is formed via a solvent-free template-assisted strategy, with a polyacrylamide (PAM) - TEMPO-mediated oxidized cellulose nanofibrils (TOCNF) double-network as main structure. The influence of each component content was analyzed. The addition of TOCNF significantly toughens the fiber (breaking strength, strain and toughness of 3.55 MPa, 1715.66 % and 4.75 MJ/m3, respectively) and provides larger channels for ion transport. The synergistic effect of lithium chloride (LiCl) and glycerin in system endows the fiber with properties of anti-dehydrating, anti-freezing, and good ionic conductivity (0.128 S/m). When used as a wearable strain sensor, the gel fiber has good linear response (sensitivity gauge factor of 0.8128) in the strain range of 0-300 %, which can accurately and stably sense human body movement, such as finger bending, wrist activities, walking and running in real time.

Recent Advances in Paper Conservation Using Nanocellulose and Its Composites.

Paper-based cultural relics experience aging and deterioration during their long-term preservation, which poses a serious threat to their lifetime. The development of conservation materials with high compatibility and low intervention has been expected to extend the lifetime of paper artifacts. As a new type of biological macromolecule, nanocellulose has been extensively utilized in paper conservation, attributed to its excellent paper compatibility, high optical transparency, outstanding mechanical strength, and large specific surface area with abundant hydroxyl groups. This review systematically summarizes the latest development of three kinds of nanocellulose (cellulose nanofibril, cellulose nanocrystal, and bacterial nanocellulose) and their composites used for the multifunctional conservation of paper relics. Owing to the strong hydrogen bond interactions between hydroxyls of nanocellulose and paper fibers, nanocellulose can effectively consolidate paper without adding adhesives. The composite of nanocellulose with other functional materials greatly expands its application scope, and the superior performance has been emphasized in paper deacidification, consolidation, antimicrobial effect, antioxidation, UV resistance, self-cleaning, promotion of printing property, reduction in air permeability, and flame retardancy. The application characteristics and future prospects of nanocellulose composites are highlighted in the conservation of paper-based cultural relics.

Optical assessment of lignin-containing nanocellulose films under extended sunlight exposure

Abstract This study investigates the stability and UV-blocking properties of cellulose nanofibril (CNF) and TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibril (TOCNF) films, with and without lignin, under 1000 h of artificial sunlight. The literature to date provides no quantitative analysis of such films’ stability, however such insight is critical for optoelectronic applications for instance solar cells. This contribution examines the films from practical perspectives, considering aging with respect to their optical performance and retention of UV protective qualities. Films containing residual lignin (LignoCNF and LignoTOCNF), and lignin nanoparticles (CNF-LNP and TOCNF-LNP) demonstrated remarkable UV-blocking stability; even after the aging transmittance of LignoCNF and CNF-LNP films remained lower than 1% below 390 nm. Most lignin-containing films exhibited increased transmittance between 400 and 600 nm after aging, except for LignoTOCNF, which showed a decrease in transmittance that was comparable to that displayed by non-lignin films. Nevertheless, long-term light exposure induced a decrease in their mechanical properties. Tensile tests revealed increased brittleness in CNF and LignoCNF, while LNP-containing films showed reduced strain at the break. The observed changes were linked to the potential oxidation of COO- groups and structural modifications in both cellulose and lignin. Overall, the incorporation of lignin into nanocellulose films enhances their durability, UV protection, and mechanical stability, making them promising candidates for sustainable optoelectronic applications.

Nano-Fibrillated Bacterial Cellulose Nanofiber Surface Modification with EDTA for the Effective Removal of Heavy Metal Ions in Aqueous Solutions.

Nano-fibrillated bacterial cellulose (NFBC) has very long fibers (>17 μm) with diameters of approximately 20 nm. Hence, they have a very high aspect ratio and surface area. The high specific surface area of NFBC can potentially be utilized as an adsorbent. However, NFBC has no functional groups that can bind metal ions, limiting its potential applications. In this study, the hydroxyl groups on the surface of NFBC were chemically modified with EDTA monoanhydride to convert NFBC into a metal adsorbent. The fiber morphology and crystal structures of the modified NFBC were almost identical to those of the unmodified NFBC, suggesting that the surface hydroxyl groups of NFBC were well-conjugated with the EDTA groups. Surface-modified NFBC preferentially adsorbed transition metals in aqueous solutions, such as Cu(II), Hg(II), Pb(II), and Cd(II), but hardly adsorbed Mg(II) and Cr(VI). The adsorption of heavy metal ions can be explained by the pseudo-second-order kinetics of the chemisorption process and the Langmuir isotherm model. Furthermore, the EDTA-modified NFBC is a renewable and recyclable adsorbent. The results of this study indicate that surface-modified NFBC can be utilized as a biosorbent for heavy metal removal in chemical, food, pharmaceutical, and other industrial fields.

Synergistic effects of thermoplastic starch and nanofibrillated cellulose on the mechanical, thermal, and micromorphological properties of polylactic acid composites

AbstractFilling and reinforcing highly brittle and costly polylactic acid (PLA) with nanocellulose and starch has been found to be a promising approach for practical applications. However, the strong tendency of nanocellulose to agglomerate significantly affects the overall performance of the resulting composites. This study employed ball‐milling method to incorporate nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) into starch, innovatively producing reinforced thermoplastic starch (TPS), which is then used to enhance the mechanical properties and reduce costs of PLA without compromising biodegradability. The effects of the ratio of PLA to TPS and the amount of NFC added were thoroughly investigated. Notably, the inclusion of NFC and TPS not only enhanced tensile strength but also improved toughness. At a PLA:TPS ratio of 70:30 with 4 wt% NFC, the composites achieved maximum toughness of 10.73 kJ/m3, a 973% increase over pure PLA. Furthermore, adding 7 wt% NFC significantly boosted tensile strength and elastic modulus, increasing by 14.7% and 29% respectively compared with NFC‐free composites, reaching 37.11 and 710.94 MPa. Additionally, NFC and TPS addition enhanced PLA crystallization and thermal stability. Thermal decomposition of PLA typically occurred at approximately 250°C. However, blending raised the initial thermal decomposition temperature of PLA/TPS/NFC composites to 290°C, indicating enhanced thermal stability. These findings enhance the application potential of PLA‐based composites, extending to environmentally friendly packaging and furniture industrial applications.Highlights NFC dispersion in TPS composites was enhanced through ball milling treatment. Composites with 4 wt% NFC showed a 973% toughness increase over pure PLA. The developed composites achieved maximum tensile strength (37.11 MPa). TPS imparted toughness to PLA, which reduced its brittleness. The thermal decomposition temperature of the composites rose to 290°C.

Interface engineering design of compressible and hydrophobic cellulose nanofibril aerogel with porous lamellar structure as highly efficient oil adsorbent

Interface engineering design of compressible and hydrophobic cellulose nanofibril aerogel with porous lamellar structure as highly efficient oil adsorbent

Anisotropic Nanofluidic Ionic Skin for Pressure-Independent Thermosensing.

Ionic skin can mimic human skin to sense both temperature and pressure simultaneously. However, a significant challenge remains in creating precise ionic skins resistant to external stimuli interference when subjected to pressure. In this study, we present an innovative approach to address this challenge by introducing a highly anisotropic nanofluidic ionic skin (ANIS) composed of carboxylated cellulose nanofibril (CNF)-reinforced poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanofibrillar network achieved through a straightforward one-step hot drawing method. The inherent anisotropic nanostructures endowed the ANIS with a modulus (20.9 ± 4.9 MPa) comparable to that of human cartilage and skin, alongside higher fracture energy (41.4 ± 0.3 kJ/m2) and fatigue threshold (1360 J/m2). Incorporating carboxylated CNF not only improves the negative potential but also increases the ionic conductivity of ANIS up to 0.001 S/cm, even at very low ionic concentration (1.0 × 10-6 M). Furthermore, the ANIS exhibits pressure-independent temperature sensitivity due to its high deformation-resistant performance. Thus, this work introduces a facile strategy for fabricating ANIS with pressure-independent thermosensing properties, promising prospects for practical healthcare applications.

Effects of cellulose nanofibrils on the mechanical and thermal properties of phase change foams based on polyethylene glycol/cellulose nanofibrils/waterborne polyurethane.

Incorporating phase change materials (PCM) into three-dimensional porous network structures could effectively address the leakage problem. In this study, by investigating the effects of different cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) contents on the mechanical and thermal properties of polyethylene glycol (PEG)/CNF/waterborne polyurethane (WPU) phase change foams, a series of leak-proof, lightweight, and stable PEG/CNF/WPU phase change foams were synthesized. Utilizing CNFs as porous support materials could effectively mitigate the leakage of PCMs. Meanwhile, the incorporation of WPU dispersions leads to the formation of CNFs/WPU composite network structure, which enhances the mechanical strength of the phase change foams and further reduces the leakage of PEG. The morphological, crystallographic, chemical, mechanical, and thermal characteristics of PEG/CNF/WPU phase change foams with varying CNF concentrations were comprehensively assessed using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), mechanical testing, and differential Scanning calorimetry (DSC). The research results indicate that phase change latent heat of PEG/CNF/WPU phase change foam containing 0.8 wt% CNF reached 150.54 J·g-1 and demonstrated superior compressive strength, compressive yield stress, and compressive modulus with a remarkably low leakage rate of just 8.57 % after enduring a 30-day leakage test.

Toughening hydrogels through a multiscale hydrogen bonding network enabled by saccharides for a bio-machine interface.

Hydrogels have considerably emerged in a variety of fields, but their weak mechanical properties severely restrict the wide range of implementation. Herein, we propose a multiscale hydrogen bonding toughening strategy using saccharide-based materials to optimize the hydrogel network. The monosaccharide (glucose) at the molecular scale and polysaccharide (cellulose nanofibrils) at the nano/micro scale can effectively form hydrogen bonds across varied scales within the hydrogel network, leading to significantly enhanced mechanical properties. Besides, the toughened hydrogels present excellent environmental resilience and bad solvent resistance, allowing them to retain their performance in various severe environments. Notably, after being exchanged with a bad solvent such as ethanol, the alcogel exhibits strain-depended vivid interference color, allowing it to function as a mechano-optical sensor. Finally, this strategy has been shown to be adaptable across multiple material systems, and the resulting hydrogels have potential as a bioelectronic interface for long-term stable recording of physiological signals, highlighting the potential of sustainable biomaterials in designing high-quality hydrogels for advanced applications.

Native and cationic cellulose nanofibril films enriched with avocado seed compounds as a green alternative for potential wound care applications

Cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) show great potential for skin wound care and healing due to their biocompatibility, non-cytotoxicity, and high swelling with good mechanical stability. In the presented study, for the first time native and cationized cellulose nanofibrils were used in combination with avocado seeds extracts obtained with different extraction methods (ASE), as an alternative to a well-known antibiotic, Clindamycin, to produce films with high and long-lasting antimicrobial efficacy. The swelling capacity of prepared films and extracts/antibiotic release kinetics were studied at different pH values to evaluate pH response behavior.All developed films exhibited high bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity against Gram-negative Escherichia coli and G-positive Staphylococcus aureus, resulting in up to 100 % bacterial reduction with the log reduction factor up to 5.64 or 6.50, at 14.2 mg of avocado seed extract or clindamycin integrated in the 1 cm2 of CNF film. The high swelling capacity (up to 65.67 %) and stability of avocado seed extracts-enriched CNF films provide a suitable moisture environment and a sustainable release (up to 40.98 % in 48 h) of bioactive compounds. The prepared antibacterial films' chemical and morphological characteristics and pH-responsive behavior proved the potential applications in the cosmetics, biomedicine, and pharmaceutical industry.

Regulating Zn deposition via an ion-sieving, nanoporous cellulose separator for high performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs), one of the most promising renewable energy storage devices, are largely impeded by the disreputable cycling stability in its large-scale application as a result of the undesirable Zn dendrites growth and the side reactions. In this context, a carboxylate (-COO-) anionic group functionalized cellulose nanofibrils separator (A-CNF) with nanoporous structure and ion-sieving effect is developed to realize a stable Zn anode without dendrites and by-products. An increased Zn2+ transference number and uniform Zn deposition can be achieved through the electrostatic adsorption between -COO- and Zn2+. More importantly, the synergistic effect between -COO- and hydroxyl group (-OH) in the cellulose nanofibrils separator inhibits the occurrence of side reactions caused by SO42- and free water molecules. As a result, the nanoporous separator consisting of carboxylated cellulose nanofibrils enables Zn anode with high stability and utilization, exhibiting a stable cycling life for 950 h in Zn//Zn cell and an admirable coulombic efficiency of 98.9 % after 300 cycles in Zn//Cu cell. The assembled Zn//MnO2 full cell with the nanoporous cellulose nanofibrils-based separator shows exceptional cyclability and capacity retention after 1000 cycles. This work provides a valuable and practical separator for high performance AZIBs, which might spur its practical application.

High-strength 3D printed poly(lactic acid) composites reinforced by shear-aligned polymer-grafted cellulose nanofibrils

This work demonstrates the application of pilot-scale surface functionalization of cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) by aqueous grafting-through polymerization and subsequent spray drying in 3D printed poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites.

Efficient adsorption of Cu2+ using ZnCo bimetallic organic frameworks loaded cellulose-based modified aerogel: Adsorption behavior and mechanism.

Cellulose has been broadly used in wastewater treatment. However, its adsorption capacity is limited by the lack of strong sites interacted with pollutants. Because of the good ability of carrying other substances, cellulose-based materials still have considerable room for improvement in adsorption capacity. Therefore, in virtue of this property, we synthesized a cellulose nanofibril (CNF) composite, Zn0.5Co0.5-ZIF@GEL aerogel, using mussel-bionic technique and zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) materials, which was applied in adsorbing copper ions. The experiments indicated the adsorption kinetics was consistent with the pseudo-second-order model. Langmuir model had a better fitting effect in isotherm analysis, revealing that the maximum adsorption capacity was 274.73mg/g at 25°C. Furthermore, we found that the appropriate doping of Co element to achieve an optimal synergistic effect enhance the adsorption capacity of Cu2+ greatly. The mechanisms of synthesis and adsorption progress were also deeply researched. Overall, the findings of Zn0.5Co0.5-ZIF@GEL promote the application of ZIFs in the adsorption field of polydopamine-composited CNF aerogel.