Preparation of wood-based hydrogel membranes for efficient purification of complex wastewater using a reconstitution strategy

Abstract

To avoid resource wastage and secondary environmental pollution, recycling and reusing waste wood powder is still a great challenge. Moreover, the poor viscosity and irregular pore size of wood powder limit its practical application. This study employed a green and convenient wood powder reconstitution strategy to achieve highly adhesive bonding and pore size control between wood powder particles, thus preparing a high-strength and super hydrophilic wood powder membrane. The wood powder fibers were partially dissolved and regenerated to create a reconstituted wood powder hydrogel membrane, using waste wood powder as the raw material. The wood powder reconstitution strategy offers advantages such as environmental friendliness, simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and strong universality. Furthermore, the materials exhibit excellent self-cleaning properties and superhydrophilicity. Driven by gravity, the membrane can purify oily wastewater and dyes. Additionally, the reconstitution strategy offers a new pathway for recycling wood powder.