Preparation of mycelium paper sheets and study on their adsorption properties

Abstract With the progression of society, aquatic pollution has intensified, prompting a search for greener materials for wastewater treatment. Here, we present a mycelium-based paper developed via alkaline deacetylation of fungal mycelial fibers to chitosan, followed by vacuum filtration, and reinforcement with long plant fibers to enhance mechanical performance. The resulting mycelium–paper composite exhibits a highly dense structure, with very low air permeability (0.42 mL/min), tensile strength of approximately 14 MPa, and tear resistance up to 1,384 mN. In filtration tests, a single pass of 30 mg/L Cu 2+ solution yielded a removal efficiency of 98 %, corresponding to an adsorption capacity of 8.75 mg/g; for methylene blue dye, the adsorption capacity was 7.42 mg/g. Compared to conventional cellulose-based powder adsorbents, which often suffer from material loss and require post-treatment, the mycelial paper can be formed directly into membrane-like filters, simplifying handling. Furthermore, this mycelial membrane displayed strong adsorption across various heavy metal ions and dyes, underscoring its significant potential for sustainable water purification.