Optimizing the synthesis conditions of aerogels based on cellulose fiber extracted from rambutan peel using response surface methodology

Nguyen Trinh Trong; Phu Huynh Le Tan; Dat Nguyen Ngoc; Ba Le Huy; Dat Tran Thanh; Nam Thai Van; Nguyen Trinh Trong; Phu Huynh Le Tan; Dat Nguyen Ngoc; Ba Le Huy; Dat Tran Thanh; Nam Thai Van

doi:10.3934/environsci.2024028

AIMS Environmental Science

2024, Volume 11, Issue 4: 576-592. doi: 10.3934/environsci.2024028

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Optimizing the synthesis conditions of aerogels based on cellulose fiber extracted from rambutan peel using response surface methodology

1.
HUTECH Institute of Applied Sciences, HUTECH University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; tt.nguyen@hutech.edu.vn, phucleotoanhuynh@gmail.com, ngocdat200199@gmail.com
2.
Faculty of Biology and Environment, Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade (HUIT), 140 Le Trong Tan Street, Tay Thanh Ward, Tan Phu District, Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam; 6009220001@huit.edu.vn, lhuyba@gmail.com
3.
HCMC Industry and Trade College (HITC), Vietnam; dattranthanh9@gmail.com
4.
Institute of Postgraduate Studies, HUTECH University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; tv.nam@hutech.edu.vn

Received: 02 May 2024 Revised: 09 July 2024 Accepted: 17 July 2024 Published: 25 July 2024

A cellulose-based aerogel has been synthesized from rambutan peel to mitigate environmental pollution caused by agricultural waste, rendering it an eco-friendly material with potential applications in oil spill remediation as well as enhancing the value of this fruit. The objective of this study was to extract cellulose from rambutan peel using chlorination and alkalization processes, followed by optimizing the synthesis conditions of cellulose-based aerogels from rambutan peel through experimental designs to improve oil removal efficiency. In this research, cellulose-based aerogel material was synthesized using the sol-gel method, utilizing waste from rambutan peel as the substrate and polyvinyl alcohol as the cross-linking agent, followed by freeze-drying. A central composite design with 30 different experimental setups was employed to investigate the influence of cellulose content (1.0–2.0%), cross-linking agent (polyvinyl alcohol) content (0.1–0.3%), ultrasonic time (5–15 min), and ultrasonic power (100–300W) on the oil adsorption capacity (g/g) of cellulose-based aerogels from rambutan peel. The research findings demonstrated successful extraction of cellulose from rambutan peel through chlorination, followed by softening with 17.5% (w/v) sodium hydroxide. Response surface plots indicated that maximizing the cellulose component could lead to a maximum diesel oil adsorption capacity of up to 52.301 g/g. Cellulose-based aerogel exhibits ultra-lightweight properties (0.027±0.002 g/cm³), high porosity (97.88±0.19), hydrophobicity (water contact angle of 152.7°), and superior oil selective adsorption compared to several commercially available materials in the market, demonstrating promising potential for application in treating oil-contaminated water in real-world scenarios.
- agricultural waste,
- cellulose-based aerogel,
- green materials,
- oil spill remediation,
- rambutan peel
Citation: Nguyen Trinh Trong, Phu Huynh Le Tan, Dat Nguyen Ngoc, Ba Le Huy, Dat Tran Thanh, Nam Thai Van. Optimizing the synthesis conditions of aerogels based on cellulose fiber extracted from rambutan peel using response surface methodology[J]. AIMS Environmental Science, 2024, 11(4): 576-592. doi: 10.3934/environsci.2024028

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Abstract

A cellulose-based aerogel has been synthesized from rambutan peel to mitigate environmental pollution caused by agricultural waste, rendering it an eco-friendly material with potential applications in oil spill remediation as well as enhancing the value of this fruit. The objective of this study was to extract cellulose from rambutan peel using chlorination and alkalization processes, followed by optimizing the synthesis conditions of cellulose-based aerogels from rambutan peel through experimental designs to improve oil removal efficiency. In this research, cellulose-based aerogel material was synthesized using the sol-gel method, utilizing waste from rambutan peel as the substrate and polyvinyl alcohol as the cross-linking agent, followed by freeze-drying. A central composite design with 30 different experimental setups was employed to investigate the influence of cellulose content (1.0–2.0%), cross-linking agent (polyvinyl alcohol) content (0.1–0.3%), ultrasonic time (5–15 min), and ultrasonic power (100–300W) on the oil adsorption capacity (g/g) of cellulose-based aerogels from rambutan peel. The research findings demonstrated successful extraction of cellulose from rambutan peel through chlorination, followed by softening with 17.5% (w/v) sodium hydroxide. Response surface plots indicated that maximizing the cellulose component could lead to a maximum diesel oil adsorption capacity of up to 52.301 g/g. Cellulose-based aerogel exhibits ultra-lightweight properties (0.027±0.002 g/cm³), high porosity (97.88±0.19), hydrophobicity (water contact angle of 152.7°), and superior oil selective adsorption compared to several commercially available materials in the market, demonstrating promising potential for application in treating oil-contaminated water in real-world scenarios.

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