Functionalization of loofah sponge as a natural cellulose-based material for water environment remediation and sustainability assessment

Abstract

Loofah-derived biomass sponges, as a natural, porous, and environmentally friendly material, demonstrate significant potential in the field of water environmental remediation due to their unique three-dimensional interconnected multi-channel structure and superior mechanical properties. The inherent structure of loofah sponges endows them with excellent mechanical strength, hydrophilicity, ion transport capacity, sound absorption properties, adsorption performance, and antibacterial activity. Physical, chemical, and biological modification methods can substantially enhance their adsorption capabilities and mechanical strength. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the latest research on loofah sponges, systematically discussing their structural characteristics, performance, and functional modification techniques. Furthermore, it explores the forefront applications of loofah sponges in environmental science, including oil-water separation, heavy metal removal, dye removal, drug removal, bacterial removal, and desalination. Finally, the sustainability of loofah sponges is highlighted through sustainability footprint assessment, emphasizing their ecological friendliness and potential for sustainable development. The review also offers insights into optimizing large-scale production to support future applications in water environmental remediation.