Bubble-enhanced ultralight aerogels derived from pectin for oil absorption

With the escalating severity of oily wastewater discharge, the development of novel and efficient adsorption materials is an urgent necessity. Bio-based aerogels, due to their distinctive attributes, including low density, high porosity, sustainability, and safety, have emerged as ideal absorbents for oil spill remediation. In this study, aerogels with ultra-low density were prepared from the renewable biomass material, pectin, through an innovative ice/bubble dual-template method. In this process, with the help of sodium dodecyl sulfate, microbubbles were introduced by high-speed stirring to decrease the density of aerogels. At the same time, phytic acid also played a role in promoting pectin crosslinking and enhancing the flame-retardant properties of aerogels, significantly improving the safety of their transportation and application. After silane modification, the aerogel exhibited ultra-low density (10.91 mg/cm 3 ), exceptional superhydrophobicity (152°), outstanding oil absorption capacity (110 g/g), and flame retardancy. This work underscored the significant and promising prospects of bio-based aerogels in addressing oil pollution challenges, highlighting their potential as optimal candidates for sustainable and effective environmental remediation.