Green Synthesis of Fe₃O₄/Cellulose/Polyvinyl Alcohol Hybride Aerogel and Its Application for Dye Removal

A novel Fe₃O₄/cellulose–polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) aerogel was successfully synthesized by an eco-friendly and facile method in this work. Cellulose/PVA matrix was prepared through an environmental friendly physical cross-linking process and further in-situ decorated with Fe₃O₄. Series of Fe₃O₄ decorated aerogels were prepared and the effects of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) on the aerogels were systematic investigated. As-prepared aerogels exhibited desirable properties including nanostructure, relatively high porosity, improved mechanical and superparamagnetism. The TEM results showed that Fe₃O₄ NPs were integrated in the three-dimensional matrix of cellulose/PVA with a diameter of 9–12 nm. Furthermore, the mechanical strength of the aerogels was significantly enhanced after the introduction of Fe₃O₄ NPs. Meanwhile, the obtained Fe₃O₄/cellulose/PVA aerogel exhibited excellent adsorption performance toward methyl blue dye, and can be reused through fenton-like catalysts oxidative degradation of organic dye in H₂O₂ solution. Therefore, they will have a great potential application as eco-friendly and economical adsorbents.