Key Application of Nanocellulose in Environmental Protection

Key Application of Nanocellulose in Environmental Protection

With the intensification of global environmental problems, especially water pollution, air pollution, soil pollution, etc., it is urgent to find sustainable and efficient solutions. As an emerging green material, nanocellulose (NFC) has shown great potential in the field of environmental protection due to its unique physicochemical properties such as high specific surface area, biodegradability, non-toxicity, etc. This article will explore the application of nanocellulose in water treatment, air purification, waste treatment and soil restoration, and provide evidence support in combination with relevant scientific research.

1. Application of nanocellulose in water treatment

Water pollution, especially heavy metal pollution and organic pollutants, has become a major challenge to the global environment. Nanocellulose has become an ideal material for water treatment due to its high specific surface area, rich surface functional groups and good adsorption properties. Research shows that nanocellulose can effectively remove heavy metal ions, dyes, organic pollutants and oil pollution in water.

Scientific basis :

Sadeghi et al. (2020) found that the adsorption capacity of chemically modified nanocellulose to heavy metal ions such as lead, mercury, chromium and other heavy metal ions in water reaches 125 mg/g , with an adsorption efficiency exceeding 90% , and can remove water in a short period of time. contaminants.

Zhao et al. (2018) studies show that nanocellulose exhibits excellent performance in adsorbing organic dyes (such as Mek blue dye). Its adsorption capacity reaches 200 mg/g and its adsorption efficiency can reach more than 95% . Equilibration time is 1–2 hours。

Technical parameters :

Adsorption capacity: 50–200 mg/g

Adsorption efficiency: more than 95%

Adsorption equilibrium time: 1–2 hours

Specific surface area: 150–1500 m²/g

These studies show that nanocellulose is very efficient in removing heavy metals and organic pollutants from water, and has a fast adsorption rate, which can achieve adsorption equilibrium in a short time, and has broad practical application prospects.

2. Application of nanocellulose in air purification

With the increasing air quality problems, especially the increase in PM2.5 particulate matter and harmful gases, air purification has become an environmental problem that needs to be solved urgently. The high specific surface area and porous structure of nanocellulose enable it to effectively adsorb pollutants in the air, such as harmful gases and fine particulate matter, thereby achieving the effect of purifying the air.

Scientific basis :

Liu et al. (2021) found that nanocellulose, as an air-purified filter material, can effectively remove PM2.5 particles, its filtration efficiency can reach more than 90% , and has good breathability.

Zhou et al. (2020) studies show that the adsorption rate of nanocellulose on harmful gases such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) reaches 85% , further verifying the efficient performance of nanocellulose in air purification.

Technical parameters :

Filtration efficiency: more than 90%

Adsorption capacity: 30–100 mg/g

Nanofiber diameter: 5–100 nm

These studies show that nanocellulose can not only efficiently remove particulate matter in the air, but also absorb harmful gases in the air. Its application prospects are broad and especially suitable for indoor air purification and industrial waste gas treatment.

3. Application of nanocellulose in waste treatment

Waste treatment is an important issue in current environmental protection, especially the treatment of oily wastewater, industrial wastewater and toxic chemical waste. Due to its strong adsorption and biodegradability, nanocellulose can effectively remove oil pollution, heavy metals and other harmful substances in water, reduce environmental pollution and improve treatment efficiency.

Scientific basis :

Bian et al. (2019) studies show that nanocellulose can effectively remove oil pollution in wastewater, with an adsorption efficiency of up to 90% , and a rapid adsorption process, with an adsorption equilibrium time of only 1 hour.。

Wu et al. (2021) studies show that nanocellulose exhibits strong adsorption capacity when removing heavy metals in wastewater, especially when removing metal ions such as copper, zinc, and nickel, the adsorption capacity can reach 100–150 mg/g。

Technical parameters :

Adsorption capacity: 100–200 mg/g

Adsorption efficiency: 80–90%

Biodegradation time: 3–6 months

Nanocellulose not only has good adsorption properties, but also has biodegradability that will not cause secondary pollution during waste treatment, which meets the requirements of green and environmental protection.

4. Application of nanocellulose in soil repair

Soil pollution, especially heavy metal pollution, has become an important issue in agriculture and ecological environment. Through its larger specific surface area and adsorption capacity, nanocellulose can effectively adsorb heavy metal ions in the soil, improve soil structure, and promote soil recovery.

Scientific basis :

Wang et al. (2022) studies show that nanocellulose can effectively adsorb heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and copper in soil. The adsorption capacity can reach 100 mg/g , and the adsorption effect is continuously stable, and the removal rate of heavy metals can reach 80. %。

Kong et al. (2019) found that nanocellulose can improve the moisture retention capacity and breathability of contaminated soil, promote the recovery of soil structure, and provide a better soil environment for agricultural production.

Technical parameters :

Improved moisture retention rate: 30%

Improved soil breathability: 20%

pH change: ±0.5

By improving the soil's moisture retention ability and breathability, nanocellulose can improve soil quality and promote the degradation of pollutants, thereby effectively repairing contaminated soil.

Summary of nanocellulose technical parameters

Application areas	Technical parameters	Performance Features
Water treatment	Adsorption capacity: 50–200 mg/g	Efficiently remove heavy metal ions, oil stains and dyes from water
	Adsorption efficiency: more than 95%	High specific surface area: 150–1500 m²/g
	Adsorption equilibrium time: 1–2 hours	Biodegradability: No secondary contamination after use
Air purification	Filtration efficiency: more than 90%	Efficiently remove PM2.5 particulate matter and harmful gases
	Adsorption capacity: 30–100 mg/g	Nanofiber diameter: 5–100 nm
Waste treatment	Adsorption capacity: 100–200 mg/g	Efficiently remove harmful substances and strong biodegradability
	Adsorption efficiency: 80–90%	Sustainability: no secondary pollution occurs after use
Soil Repair	Improved moisture retention rate: 30%	Improve soil structure, enhance moisture retention and breathability
	Improved soil breathability: 20%	Effective repair of heavy metal contaminated soil
Green energy	Increased biomass conversion rate: 10–15%	Improve biomass conversion

5. Conclusion

Nanocellulose has become an important material in the field of environmental protection due to its unique physicochemical properties and sustainability. Whether in water treatment, air purification, waste treatment or soil repair, nanocellulose has shown its outstanding performance and wide application potential. With the support of relevant scientific research, we can see that nanocellulose not only has high efficiency adsorption capacity and fast reaction rate, but also has its biodegradability and low toxicity, making it an ideal environmental restoration material. With the advancement of technology, the application of nanocellulose in the field of environmental protection will continue to expand, contributing greater strength to sustainable development.