Preparation and adsorption properties of polyetherimide graft-reinforced cellulose aerogels

In order to enhance the exceptional mechanical properties and adsorption capacity of cellulose aerogels for heavy metal ions, the present study employs polyethyleneimine (PEI) as the functional reagent and (3-glycidyl propyloxy) trimethoxysilane (GPTMS) as the crosslinking agent to modify carboxylated cellulose nanofibril/polyvinyl alcohol (CNF-C/PVA). A composite aerogel of PEI@CNF-C/PVA (PPCF) with exceptional performance was synthesized. The composite exhibits not only exceptionally high compressive strength, supporting 1660 times its own weight, but also achieves a maximum stress of 118 kPa in PPCF₆₀ at a maximum strain of 60%. Following 50 compression cycles, the material retained 83% of its original compressive strength. Moreover, the PPCF aerogel exhibits an exceptional adsorption capacity for Cu²⁺, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 578.03 mg g⁻¹. Following four cycles of adsorption and desorption, the efficiency of the process remained above 92%. It can therefore be concluded that this sample has significant potential for use in applications related to adsorption.