Lignocellulose-enriched aerogels: Towards developing biomass-based sustainable and environmental sorbents for oil spill management

The environmental and ecological consequences of oil spills underscore the urgent need for effective and sustainable remediation technologies. This study explores an innovative approach to utilizing agricultural biomass, specifically wheat and oat straw, to produce cellulose-based aerogels for oil absorption. Lignocellulose was extracted from the wheat and oat biomass through alkali and bleaching treatments, followed by preparing aerogels using chitosan and gellan gum as a matrix. The aerogels were developed with varying concentrations (0.5–2 %) of lignocellulose and compared in terms of chemical bonding, porosity, oil absorption capacity, and mechanical properties. The results indicated a significant increase in oil absorption capacity and mechanical properties as the lignocellulose content in the aerogel matrix increased, making them a sustainable alternative to conventional sorbents. The highest recorded oil absorption capacity was 15.05 ± 2.95 g/g for the 2 % lignocellulose-based aerogel derived from wheat biomass. The 1 % lignocellulose-based aerogel from oat biomass demonstrated an oil absorption capacity of 10.35 ± 1.48 g/g. Additionally, the highest tensile strength at the elastic limit was measured at 32.32 ± 2.25 MPa for the 2 % lignocellulose-based aerogel extracted from wheat and 39.28 ± 1.97 MPa for that from oat biomass. This work bridges agricultural waste management and environmental remediation by adding value to underutilized residues while addressing oil pollution challenges. • Lignocellulose has been extracted from wheat and oat biomass. • Aerogel is successfully tailored by creating Lignocellulose-chitosan-gellan matrix. • Lignocellulose concentration has significant effects on aerogel properties. • Increase of lignocellulosic concentration in aerogel significantly increases its oil absorption capacity.