Nanostructured Bioaerogels as a Potential Solution for Particulate Matter Pollution

Abstract

Particulate matter (PM) pollution is a significant environmental and public health issue globally. Exposure to high levels of PM, especially fine particles, can have severe health consequences. These particles can come from a variety of sources, including natural events like dust storms and wildfires, as well as human activities such as industrial processes and transportation. Although an extensive development in air filtration techniques has been made in the past few years, fine particulate matter still poses a serios and dangerous threat to human health and to our environment. Conventional air filters are fabricated from non-biodegradable and non-ecofriendly materials which can cause further environmental pollution as a result of their excessive use. Nanostructured biopolymer aerogels have shown great promise in the field of particulate matter removal. Their unique properties, renewable nature, and potential for customization make them attractive materials for air pollution control. In the present review, we discuss the meaning, properties, and advantages of nanostructured aerogels and their potential in particulate matter removal. Particulate matter pollution, types and sources of particulate matter, health effect, environmental effect, and the challenges facing scientists in particulate matter removal are also discussed in the present review. Finally, we present the most recent advances in using nanostructured bioaerogels in the removal of different types of particulate matter and discuss the challenges that we face in these applications.

Keywords: bioaerogels; biopolymers; filtration; nanostructured; particulate matter removal.

Figure 1

Number of scientific studies in the last ten years about aerogel and particular matter removal. Search conducted through Science Direct database on 17 April 2023.

Figure 2

Illustration of the basic principle of nanostructured bioaerogel fabrication.

Figure 3

Schematic drawing of different sources of particulate matter in our environment. Adapted with permission from [92].

Figure 4

Illustration of the adverse health effects of particulate matter.

Figure 5

Illustration of multilayered aerogel-based air filtration approach. Melamine–formaldehyde (MF), ionic liquids (ILs), nanoscale particles (NPs), and particulate matter (PM). Adapted with permission from [102].

Figure 6

Preparation of corn protein nanostructured aerogels; (a) schematic drawing of the whole preparation process; (b) a diagram of the aerogel being placed on a flower to show the light weight; (c–e) the morphology and SEM images of the fabricated nanostructured aerogel. Adapted with permission from Lin et al. [116].

Figure 7

Hydrophobic nanocellulose aerogel for particulate matter removal; (a) Schematic drawing of the aerogel mechanism and (b) SEM images before and after PM capturing. Adapted from with permission Lyu et al. [119].

Figure 8

Schematic illustration of the fabrication of alginate-based aerogel for efficient removal of particulate matter. Adapted with permission from Wu et al. [131].