Enzymatic crosslinking of lignin nanoparticles and nanocellulose in cryogels improves adsorption of pharmaceutical pollutants

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131168
• Publication Date: 2024-03-27T08:16:03Z
• Authors: Melissa B. Agustin; Maarit H. Lahtinen; Marianna Kemell; Erfan Oliaei; Kirsi S. Mikkonen; Stina Grönqvist; Mari Lehtonen
• Keywords: Nanocellulose; Cationic polymerization; Hemicellulose

Pharmaceuticals, designed for treating diseases, ironically endanger humans and aquatic ecosystems as pollutants. Adsorption-based wastewater treatment could address this problem, however, creating efficient adsorbents remains a challenge. Recent efforts have shifted towards sustainable bio-based adsorbents. Here, cryogels from lignin-containing cellulose nanofibrils (LCNF) lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) were explored pharmaceuticals An enzyme-based approach using laccase was used crosslinking instead of fossil-based chemical modification. The impact on LNPs alone produced surface-crosslinked water-insoluble with preserved morphology hemicellulose-rich, water-soluble LNP fraction. displayed significant increase in adsorption capacity, up to 140 % 400 neutral cationic drugs, respectively. crosslinked cryogel prepared by one-pot incubation LNPs, LCNF showed significantly higher capacities various multi-component system than pure or unmodified cryogels. minimized the leaching water, signifying enhanced binding between LCNF. In real wastewater, laccase-modified 8–47 removal pharmaceuticals. Overall, facilitated production improving deposition Finally, work introduces engineering adsorbents, while aligning global sustainability goals.