Publication detail

Self-Standing Biohybrid Xerogels Incorporating Nanotubular Clays for Sustainable Removal of Pollutants

CARUSO, M. CALVINO, M. ŠILER, P. CÁBA, V. MILIOTO, S. LISUZZO, L. LAZZARA, G. CAVALLARO, G.

Original Title

Self-Standing Biohybrid Xerogels Incorporating Nanotubular Clays for Sustainable Removal of Pollutants

Type

journal article in Web of Science

Language

English

Original Abstract

In this work, it is reported a scalable and systematic protocol for the preparation of xerogels based on the use of green, highly available, and low-cost materials, i.e. halloysite nanoclay and chitosan, without the need for any expensive equipment or operational/energetic demands. Starting from colloidal dispersions, rheological studies demonstrate the formation of hydrogels with zero-shear viscosities enhanced by approximate to 9 orders of magnitude and higher storage moduli. Hence, the corresponding self-standing xerogels are prepared by a simple solvent casting method and their properties depend on the concentration of halloysite, possessing enhanced thermal stability and outstanding mechanical performances (elastic modulus and ultimate elongation of 165 MPa and 43%, respectively). The resulting biohybrid materials can be exploited for environmental remediation. High removal efficiencies are reached for the capture of organic molecules from aqueous media and the CO2 capture from the atmosphere is also investigated. Most importantly, the presence of an inorganic skeleton within the xerogels prevents the structure from collapsing upon drying and it allows for the control over their morphology and shape. Therefore, taking advantage of the overall features, the designed xerogels offer an attractive strategy for sustainably tackling pollution and for environmental remediation in a plethora of different domains.

Keywords

CO2; environmental remediation; halloysite; hydrogels; p-coumaric acid; xerogels

Authors

CARUSO, M.; CALVINO, M.; ŠILER, P.; CÁBA, V.; MILIOTO, S.; LISUZZO, L.; LAZZARA, G.; CAVALLARO, G.

Released

25. 11. 2024

Publisher

WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH

Location

WEINHEIM

ISBN

1613-6810

Periodical

Small

Number

2024-11-25

State

Federal Republic of Germany

Pages from

1

Pages to

14

Pages count

14

URL

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/smll.202405215

BibTex

@article{BUT193653,
  author="Maria Rita {Caruso} and Martina Maria {Calvino} and Pavel {Šiler} and Vladislav {Cába} and Stefana {Milioto} and Lorenzo {Lisuzzo} and Giuseppe {Lazzara} and Giuseppe {Cavallaro}",
  title="Self-Standing Biohybrid Xerogels Incorporating Nanotubular Clays for Sustainable Removal of Pollutants",
  journal="Small",
  year="2024",
  number="2024-11-25",
  pages="1--14",
  doi="10.1002/smll.202405215",
  issn="1613-6810",
  url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/smll.202405215"
}