Degradable composite aerogel with excellent water-absorption for trace water removal in oil and oil-in-water emulsion filtration

In this study, using chitosan (CS) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as backbone and introducing citric acid (CA)to enhance the electrostatic interaction of the system, citric acid/chitosan/carboxymethyl cellulose (CA/CS/CMC) aerogel is obtained by simple freeze-drying. CA/CS/CMC composite aerogel exhibits light weight, low density, high porosity, outstanding hydrophilic and water retention properties, and satisfactory underwater oleophobicity. The water adsorption capacity of the obtained aerogels can reach 43.87–80.28 g/g, which are far more than that of carboxymethyl cellulose and chitosan aerogels (14.27–20.08 g/g). In addition, with strong hydrophilicity, underwater oleophobicity and water retention endowed by the rough internal microstructure and the rich hydroxyl, amino, and carboxyl groups, the fabricated aerogel can also be used as a filter to achieve effective separation of oil-in-water emulsions and oil/water mixtures. The separation efficiency of aerogel for oil/water mixtures are higher than 90.7%. Because the developed preparation method is green, simple and mild and the raw materials are readily available and environmentally friendly, the obtained CA/CS/CMC aerogel with strong water absorption capacity and good separation efficiency displays a promising application in water-oil separation.