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Carbon sponge nanostructure derived from cellulose as an adsorbent for enhanced removal of organic contaminants.

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Title: Carbon sponge nanostructure derived from cellulose as an adsorbent for enhanced removal of organic contaminants.
Authors: Mello, Beatris L.1 (AUTHOR), Thue, Pascal S.1,2 (AUTHOR) pascalsilasthue@gmail.com, dos Reis, Glaydson S.3 (AUTHOR), Machado, Fernando M.2,4 (AUTHOR), El Kaim Billah, Rachid5 (AUTHOR), Seliem, Moaaz K.6 (AUTHOR), Dehmani, Younes7 (AUTHOR), Silva, Luis F.O.8 (AUTHOR), Lima, Eder C.1 (AUTHOR) eder.lima@ufrgs.br
Source: Colloids & Surfaces A: Physicochemical & Engineering Aspects. May2026:Part 2, Vol. 737, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p.
Subjects: Sorbents, Porosity, Water pollution, Carbon foams, Cellulose, Micropollutants, Nanostructures, Organic water pollutants
Abstract: Developing advanced carbonaceous adsorbents with engineered porosity is critical for addressing the global challenge of water contamination by persistent organic micropollutants (OMPs). In this study, we synthesized a series of 3D carbon nanostructure sponges (CS) derived from microcrystalline cellulose via a two-step carbonization and potassium hydroxide (KOH) activation process. By systematically varying the cellulose-to-KOH ratio from 1:1–1:4, we engineered the pore architecture from a strictly microporous framework to a highly hierarchical micro-mesoporous system. Extensive characterization using nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) revealed that the optimal material (CS4) exhibits an exceptional Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) specific surface area of 3007 m2 g−1 and a total pore volume of 1.37 cm3 g−1. Structural analysis resolved a crystallographic paradox: while XRD indicated a loss of long-range order, Raman spectroscopy and TEM confirmed the preservation of local graphitic domains within a highly crumpled, exfoliated nanosponge morphology. This unique structure proved decisive in the adsorption of diverse OMPs, including pharmaceuticals, phenols, and dyes. Adsorption assays demonstrated a strong structure-function relationship governed by size exclusion; while all adsorbents effectively removed small phenolic compounds (capacities ∼ 200 mg g−1), only the hierarchically porous CS4 could accommodate bulky dye molecules such as Direct Red 80 (60.6 mg g−1) and Reactive Green 19 (46.8 mg g−1), which were sterically hindered on the microporous CS1. The results establish cellulose-derived carbon nanosponges as sustainable, high-performance adsorbents with tunable porosity, offering a scalable solution for the remediation of complex wastewater matrices containing pollutants of varying molecular dimensions. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Engineering Source
Description
Abstract:Developing advanced carbonaceous adsorbents with engineered porosity is critical for addressing the global challenge of water contamination by persistent organic micropollutants (OMPs). In this study, we synthesized a series of 3D carbon nanostructure sponges (CS) derived from microcrystalline cellulose via a two-step carbonization and potassium hydroxide (KOH) activation process. By systematically varying the cellulose-to-KOH ratio from 1:1–1:4, we engineered the pore architecture from a strictly microporous framework to a highly hierarchical micro-mesoporous system. Extensive characterization using nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) revealed that the optimal material (CS4) exhibits an exceptional Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) specific surface area of 3007 m2 g−1 and a total pore volume of 1.37 cm3 g−1. Structural analysis resolved a crystallographic paradox: while XRD indicated a loss of long-range order, Raman spectroscopy and TEM confirmed the preservation of local graphitic domains within a highly crumpled, exfoliated nanosponge morphology. This unique structure proved decisive in the adsorption of diverse OMPs, including pharmaceuticals, phenols, and dyes. Adsorption assays demonstrated a strong structure-function relationship governed by size exclusion; while all adsorbents effectively removed small phenolic compounds (capacities ∼ 200 mg g−1), only the hierarchically porous CS4 could accommodate bulky dye molecules such as Direct Red 80 (60.6 mg g−1) and Reactive Green 19 (46.8 mg g−1), which were sterically hindered on the microporous CS1. The results establish cellulose-derived carbon nanosponges as sustainable, high-performance adsorbents with tunable porosity, offering a scalable solution for the remediation of complex wastewater matrices containing pollutants of varying molecular dimensions. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:09277757
DOI:10.1016/j.colsurfa.2026.139705