Introducing a bio sorbent for removal of methylene blue dye based on flexible poly(glycerol sebacate)/chitosan/graphene oxide ecofriendly nanocomposites

Review of sustainable, eco-friendly, and conductive polymer nanocomposites for electronic and thermal applications: current status and future prospects

Biodegradable polymer nanocomposites (BPNCs) are advanced materials that have gained significant attention over the past 20 years due to their advantages over conventional polymers. BPNCs are eco-friendly, cost-effective, contamination-resistant, and tailorable for specific applications. Nevertheless, their usage is limited due to their unsatisfactory physical and mechanical properties. To improve these properties, nanofillers are incorporated into natural polymer matrices, to enhance mechanical durability, biodegradability, electrical conductivity, dielectric, and thermal properties. Despite the significant advances in the development of BPNCs over the last decades, our understanding of their dielectric, thermal, and electrical conductivity is still far from complete. This review paper aims to provide comprehensive insights into the fundamental principles behind these properties, the main synthesis, and characterization methods, and their functionality and performance. Moreover, the role of nanofillers in strength, permeability, thermal stability, biodegradability, heat transport, and electrical conductivity is discussed. Additionally, the paper explores the applications, challenges, and opportunities of BPNCs for electronic devices, thermal management, and food packaging. Finally, this paper highlights the benefits of BPNCs as biodegradable and biodecomposable functional materials to replace traditional plastics. Finally, the contemporary industrial advances based on an overview of the main stakeholders and recently commercialized products are addressed.

Sustainable use of low-cost adsorbents prepared from waste fruit peels for the removal of selected reactive and basic dyes found in wastewaters

Agricultural wastes are potential sustainable adsorbents since they are available in large quantities, are low-cost, and may require little or no treatment, in some cases. In this study, several fruit peels, such as banana, orange, and pomegranate, were collected from local markets and prepared by a simple and eco-friendly method and used as natural adsorbents for the removal of both anionic (Reactive Red 120 (RR120), Reactive Black 5 (RB5), Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR)) and cationic Methylene Blue (MB) dyes found in wastewaters. Many industries, such as leather and textiles, can release huge amounts of synthetic dyes into the wastewater during dyeing processes. These are one of the most important pollutants of water pollution as they cause enormous damage to the water body and also affect the health of organisms due to their toxicity and carcinogenicity. The search for a sustainable and at the same time efficient material for the removal of a wide variety of dyes is the innovation of this work. These peels were prepared by washing, drying, grinding, and finally sieving, under natural sustainable conditions. Porosometry (BET analysis), FTIR, SEM/EDS, and XRD techniques were used to characterize the fruit peels before and after the adsorption process. Factors affecting the adsorption of dyes (adsorbent dosage, pH solution, initial concentration of dyes, contact time, and temperature) were investigated. According to the results, in terms of the effectiveness of fruit peels as (natural) adsorbent materials, for anionic dyes, 5.0-6.0 g/L of banana or orange dry peels was sufficient to remove near or even more than 90% anionic dyes at pH 2.0, and 4.0 g/L was sufficient to remove 98% of cationic MB dye at pH 9.0. Similar amount of pomegranate peels had lower efficiency for anionic dyes (50-70%), while cationic MB was still efficiently removed (98%) at pH 9.0. Moreover, the adsorption process in all cases was found to better fit to pseudo-second-order model, in comparison to pseudo-first-order model. According to isotherms, Freundlich model fitted better in some cases to the equilibrium data, while the Langmuir model in others. Finally, this study demonstrates the viability of reusing the banana, orange, and pomegranate peel adsorbents for eight, four, and five cycles, showing a gradual reduction of around 50% of their effectiveness.

Design of bio-scaffold conjugated with chitosan-PEG nano-carriers containing bio-macromolecules of Verbascum sinuatum L. to differentiate human adipose-derived stem cells into dermal keratinocytes

Regenerative medicine and drug delivery systems provide promising approaches for the treatment of skin lesions. However, the design of engineered substrates containing therapeutic agents for cell proliferation and its differentiation into skin cells, with skin-like patterns, is the major challenge. Here, to overcome this problem, a hybrid scaffold conjugated with nanoparticles containing the extract of Verbascum sinuatum L. flowers (HE) was designed. To this end, (chitosan-PEG)-based nanocarriers (Chi-PEG) were first prepared in the volume ratios of 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, and 50:50 v/v. The results indicated that the 70:30 ratio possessed better physical/morphologic properties along with more suitable stability than other nanoparticles (encapsulation-efficiency:86.34 %, zeta-potential:21.2 mV, and PDI:0.30). Afterward, PCL-collagen biologic scaffold (PCL-Coll) were prepared by the lyophilization method, then conjugated with selected nanoparticles(Chi-PEG70:30-HE). Notably, in addition to PCL-Coll/Chi-PEG-HE, two scaffolds of PCL-Coll and PCL-Coll/Chi-PEG were prepared to evaluate the role of conjugation in the release behavior of herbal bio-macromolecules. Based on the results, the conjugation process was led to a more stable release, compared to unconjugated nanoparticles. The mentioned process also created an integrated network along with better physicomechanical properties [modulus:12.31 MPa, tensile strength:4.44 MPa, smaller pore size(2 μm), and better swelling (100.27 %) with a symmetrical wettability on the surface]. PCL-Coll/Chi-PEG-HE scaffold was also resulted in higher expression levels of K10 and K14 keratinocytes with biomimetic patterns than PCL-Coll/Chi-PEG scaffold. This could be due to the active ingredients of V. sinuatum extract like alkaloids, flavonoids, and triterpenoids which imparts the wound healing (anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant) properties to this scaffold. It seems that the use of bioactive materials like herbal extracts, in the form of encapsulated into polymeric nanocarriers, in the structure of engineered scaffolds can be a promising option for regenerating damaged skin without scarring. Hence, this study can provide innovative insights into the combination of two techniques of drug delivery and tissue engineering to design bio-scaffolds containing bioactive molecules with better therapeutic approaches.

Preparation of chitosan-based ternary nanocomposite hydrogel film by loading graphene oxide nanosheets as adsorbent for enhanced methylene blue dye removal

Our objective in this study is to fabricate a novel chitosan-based ternary nanocomposite hydrogel film by incorporating graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets into a chitosan/partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (PHPA) network to boost adsorption efficiency through one step self-assembly process in water. Basically, H-bonding interactions drive the formation of a crosslinking network structure. The Batch adsorption experiments evaluated the hydrogel nanocomposite's MB adsorption performance. By loading GO, surface roughness, swelling percentage (from 21,200 % to 35,800 %), elastic modulus of up to 73.7 Pa, and adsorption characteristics (from 282 mg/g to 468 mg/g) were enhanced. The nanocomposite displayed outstanding thermally/pH responsiveness properties. MB adsorption equilibrium was reached after 45 min and the adsorption capacity was 476.19 mg.g-1 when the initial concentration was 100 mg/L. The MB adsorption kinetics and isotherms by the nanocomposite were well correlated by the PSO and the Langmuir models (R2 > 0.99), respectively. The loaded nanocomposite was shown to be regenerative for five cycles through desorption studies. Thermodynamic analysis indicated that MB adsorption occurred spontaneously (ΔG°: -16.47 kJ/mol, 303 K) and exothermically (ΔH°: -79.49 kJ/mol). A plausible adsorption mechanism was proposed for the nanocomposite developed for MB removal. Our results can contribute to the design and fabrication of nanocomposite adsorbents to treat wastewater.

A novel biomimetic nanofibrous cardiac tissue engineering scaffold with adjustable mechanical and electrical properties based on poly(glycerol sebacate) and polyaniline

Biomaterial tissue engineering scaffolds play a critical role in providing mechanical support, promoting cells growth and proliferation. However, due to the insulation and inappropriate stiffness of most biomaterials, there is an unmet need to engineer a biomimetic nanofibrous cardiac tissue engineering scaffold with tailorable mechanical and electrical properties. Here, we demonstrate for the first time the feasibility to generate a novel type of biocompatible fibrous scaffolds by blending elastic poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) and conductive polyaniline (PANI) with the help of a nontoxic carrier polymer, poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA). Aligned and random PGS/PANI scaffolds are successfully obtained after electrospinning, cross-linking, water and ethanol wash. Incorporating of different concentrations of PANI into PGS fibers, the fibrous sheets show enhanced conductivity and slower degradation rates while maintaining the favorable hemocompatibility. The elastic modulus of the PGS/PANI scaffolds is in the range of 0.65-2.18 MPa under wet conditions, which is similar to that of natural myocardium. All of these fibrous mats show good cell viability and were able to promote adhesion and proliferation of H9c2 cells. Furthermore, the in vivo host responses of both random and aligned scaffolds confirm their good biocompatibility. Therefore, these PGS/PANI scaffolds have great potential for cardiac tissue engineering.

Harnessing the power of polyol-based polyesters for biomedical innovations: synthesis, properties, and biodegradation

Polyesters based on polyols have emerged as promising biomaterials for various biomedical applications, such as tissue engineering, drug delivery systems, and regenerative medicine, due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and versatile physicochemical properties. This review article provides an overview of the synthesis methods, performance, and biodegradation mechanisms of polyol-based polyesters, highlighting their potential for use in a wide range of biomedical applications. The synthesis techniques, such as simple polycondensation and enzymatic polymerization, allow for the fine-tuning of polyester structure and molecular weight, thereby enabling the tailoring of material properties to specific application requirements. The physicochemical properties of polyol-based polyesters, such as hydrophilicity, crystallinity, and mechanical properties, can be altered by incorporating different polyols. The article highlights the influence of various factors, such as molecular weight, crosslinking density, and degradation medium, on the biodegradation behavior of these materials, and the importance of understanding these factors for controlling degradation rates. Future research directions include the development of novel polyesters with improved properties, optimization of degradation rates, and exploration of advanced processing techniques for fabricating scaffolds and drug delivery systems. Overall, polyol-based polyesters hold significant potential in the field of biomedical applications, paving the way for groundbreaking advancements and innovative solutions that could revolutionize patient care and treatment outcomes.

Selective adsorption of organic dyes from aqueous environment using fermented maize extract-enhanced graphene oxide-durian shell derived activated carbon composite

A secure aquatic environment is essential for both aquatic and terrestrial life. However, rising populations and the industrial revolution have had a significant impact on the quality of the water environment. Despite the implementation of strong and adapted environmental policies for water treatment worldwide, the issue of organic dyes in wastewater remains challenging. Thus, this study aimed to develop an efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable material to treat methylene blue (MB) in an aqueous environment. In this research, maize extract solution (MES) was utilized as a green cross-linker to induce precipitation, conjugation, and enhance the adsorption performance of graphene oxide (GO) cross-linked with durian shell activated carbon (DSAC), resulting in the formation of a GO@DSAC composite. The composite was investigated for its adsorptive performance toward MB in aqueous media. The physicochemical characterization demonstrated that the cross-linking method significantly influenced the porous structure and surface chemistry of GO@DSAC. BET analysis revealed that the GO@DSAC exhibited dominant mesopores with a surface area of 803.67 m2/g. EDX and XPS measurements confirmed the successful cross-linking of GO with DSAC. The adsorption experiments were well described by the Harkin-Jura model and they followed pseudo-second order kinetics. The maximum adsorption capacity reached 666.67 mg/g at 318 K. Thermodynamic evaluation indicated a spontaneous, feasible, and endothermic in nature. Regenerability and reusability investigations demonstrated that the GO@DSAC composite could be reused for up to 10 desorption-adsorption cycles with a removal efficiency of 81.78%. The selective adsorptive performance of GO@DSAC was examined in a binary system containing Rhodamine B (RhB) and methylene orange (MO). The results showed a separation efficiency (α) of 98.89% for MB/MO and 93.66% for MB/RhB mixtures, underscoring outstanding separation capabilities of the GO@DSAC composite. Overall, the GO@DSAC composite displayed promising potential for the effective removal of cationic dyes from wastewater.

Development of chitosan-graphene oxide blend nanoparticles for controlled flurbiprofen delivery

The use of natural polymeric nanoparticles (Nps) as drug carriers is a highly promising area of research in the field of drug delivery systems because of their high efficiency. In this study, flurbiprofen (FB) loaded chitosan-graphene oxide (CS-GO) blend Nps were synthesized as a controlled delivery system using the emulsion method. The crystalline, molecular, and morphological structures of the prepared CS-GO Nps were characterized using a variety of analytical methods, including Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-Ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). It was found that the introduction of GO into the CS nanoparticle formulation increased its thermal stability. The range of the average particle size was between 362 ± 5.06 and 718 ± 2.21 nm, with negative zeta potential values between -7.67 ± 4.16 and - 27.93 ± 2.26 mV. The effects of the CS/GO ratio, the FB/polymer ratio, the amount of span 80, and the cross-linker concentration were assessed on FB release profiles. In vitro release studies displayed a two-stage release behaviour with a fast initial release of the FB, followed by sustained and extended release, and the incorporation of GO into the CS Nps made the FB release more sustained and controlled manner. Besides, the cytotoxicity test of the FB-loaded CS-GO Nps was studied through MTT assay, and it was found that they were biocompatible. Based on these findings, it can be inferred that the prepared CS-GO Nps might be a promising candidate drug carrier system for FB.

Efficient removal of methylene blue from aqueous solution by ZIF-8-decorated helicoidal electrospun polymer strips

Immobilization of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) on electrospun products for wastewater treatment has garnered considerable attention in recent years. However, the effect of the overall geometry and surface-area-to-volume ratio of MOF-decorated electrospun architectures on their performances have rarely been investigated. Herein, we prepared polycaprolactone (PCL)/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) strips with helicoidal geometries via immersion electrospinning. By regulating the weight ratio of PCL to PVP, the morphologies and surface-area-to-volume ratios of the PCL/PVP strips could be controlled precisely. Then, the zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) for removing methylene blue (MB) from an aqueous solution was immobilized on the electrospun strips, resulting in ZIF-8-decorated PCL/PVP strips. The key characteristics of these composite products, such as adsorption and photocatalytic degradation behavior toward MB in the aqueous solution, were carefully investigated. Owing to the desired overall geometry and high surface-area-to-volume ratio of the ZIF-8-decorated helicoidal strips, a high MB adsorption capacity of 151.6 mg g^-1 was obtained, which is significantly higher than those with conventional electrospun straight fibers. In addition, higher MB uptake rates, higher recycling and kinetic adsorption efficiencies, higher MB photocatalytic degradation efficiencies, and faster MB photocatalytic degradation rates were confirmed. This work provides new insights to improve the performance of existing and potential electrospun product-based water treatment strategies.

Decoration of polylactic acid on graphene oxide for efficient adsorption of methylene blue and tetracycline

Decorating nanomaterials on graphene oxide (GO) can enhance its adsorption capacity and removal efficiency of water pollutants. In this study, for the first time, nano-sized polylactic acid (PLA) has been successfully decorated on the surface of GO through a facile synthesis approach. The adsorptive efficiency of GO-PLA for removing methylene blue (MB) and tetracycline (TC) from an aqueous solution was examined. The characterization confirmed the successful decoration of PLA on GO nanosheets with the nano size of PLA. It was hypothesized that the PLA was decorated on the surface of GO through covalent bonding between oxygen-containing functional groups and lactide molecules. The optimum adsorption parameters determined were at the adsorbent dose of 0.5 g L^-1, pH 4, contact time of 120 min, and temperature of 318 K. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model described the contaminants' adsorption behaviour, and the intraparticle diffusion model revealed that both surface adsorption and intraparticle diffusion controlled the adsorption process. Langmuir isotherm model best described the adsorption behaviour of the pollutants on GO-PLA and demonstrated the maximum monolayer uptake capacities of MB (332.5 mg g^-1) and TC (223.7 mg g^-1). The adsorption results indicated that the uptake capacities of GO-PLA in comparison to GO have increased by approximately 70% and 110% for MB and TC, respectively. These observations reflect the remarkable role of nano-sized PLA that enhanced the adsorption capacity due to its additional functional group and larger surface area.

Removal of anionic and cationic dyes using porous chitosan/carboxymethyl cellulose-PEG hydrogels: Optimization, adsorption kinetics, isotherm and thermodynamics studies

Chitosan (CS)/carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) porous hydrogels chemically crosslinked by epichlorohydrin were synthesized using polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a pore-forming agent for anionic (Congo red, CR) and cationic (methylene blue, MB) dyes removal from aqueous solutions. The swelling ratio of hydrogels prepared with 2 % CS and 2 % CMC (CS₂/CMC₂) exhibited optimal performance at different pHs. The addition of PEG into hydrogels (denoted as CS₂/CMC₂-PEG_1.25) exhibited a significantly higher adsorption for CR and MB, increasing from 117.83 to 159.12 mg/g and 110.2 to 136 mg/g, respectively. The comprehensive analyses of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermalgravimetric study and scanning electron microscopy showed that CS₂/CMC₂-PEG_1.25 hydrogels became more porous with no significant changes in intermolecular and intramolecular interactions, compared with CS₂/CMC₂ hydrogels. The adsorption process for CR and MB conformed to the pseudo-second-order and pseudo-first-order kinetics models, respectively. The results of adsorption isotherm for CR followed both Freundlich and Langmuir models with the maximum adsorption capacities of 1053.88 mg/g, whereas the isotherm for MB fitted the Langmuir model better with the maximum adsorption capacities of 331.72 mg/g. The thermodynamic study results proved that the CR and MB adsorption by hydrogels was spontaneous, but the CR adsorption was endothermic and the MB adsorption was exothermic.

Removal of COD and color from textile industrial wastewater using wheat straw activated carbon: an application of response surface and artificial neural network modeling

A novel approach has been undertaken wherein chemically modified wheat straw activated carbon (WSAC) as adsorbent is developed, characterized, and examined for the removal of COD and color from the cotton dyeing industry effluent. Thirty experimental runs are designed for batch reactor study using the central composite method (CCM) for optimizing process parameters, namely biochar dose, time of contact, pH, and temperature, for examining the effect on COD and color-removing efficiency of WSAC. The experimental data have been modeled using the machine learning approaches such as polynomial quadratic regression and artificial neural networks (ANN). The determined optimum conditions are pH: 7.18, time of contact: 85.229 min, adsorbent dose: 2.045 g/l, and temperature: 40.885 °C, at which the COD and color removal efficiency is 90.92 and 94.48%, respectively. The nonlinear pseudo-second order (PSO) kinetic model shows good coefficient of determination (R² ~ 1) values. The maximum adsorption capacity for COD and color by WSAC is at the pH of 7, the temperature of 40 °C, adsorbent dose of 2 g/l is obtained at the contact time of 80 min is 434.78 mg/g and 331.55 PCU/g, respectively. The COD removal and decolorization is more than 70% in the first 20 min of the experiment. The primary adsorption mechanism involves hydrogen bonding, electrostatic attraction, n-π interactions, and cation exchange. Finally, the adsorbent is environmentally benign and cost-effective, costing 16.66% less than commercially available carbon. The result of the study indicates that WSAC is a prominent solution for treating textile effluent. The study is beneficial in reducing the pollutants from textile effluents and increasing the reuse of treated effluent in the textile industries.

Introducing photo-crosslinked bio-nanocomposites based on polyvinylidene fluoride/poly(glycerol azelaic acid)-g-glycidyl methacrylate for bone tissue engineering

As a glycerol-based polyester, poly(glycerol azelaic acid) (PGAz) has shown great potential for biomedical applications, such as tissue engineering. However, it tends to show low mechanical strength and a relatively fast biodegradation rate, limiting its capability of mimicking and supporting a broad range of hard tissues such as bone. Moreover, the typical thermal curing process of poly(glycerol-co-diacids) is one of their drawbacks. To overcome these limitations, glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) moieties were first grafted on the backbone of PGAz herein to achieve a UV-curable PGAz-g-GMA (PGAG) resin. Then polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), nano-hydroxyapatite, and Cloisite Na⁺ nanoclay were used to fabricate photo-crosslinked PGAG/PVDF nanocomposites with efficient properties to mimic various hard tissues. Our results demonstrated that all nanocomposites possessed a semi-crystalline structure with noticeable PVDF β-phase fraction. The scaffolds yielded Young's modulus, ultimate tensile strength, and elongation at break of 15-24 MPa, 13-15 MPa, and 50-65%, respectively that could meet the requirements for supporting cancellous bone tissue. The presence of nanofillers improved the hydrophilicity and slightly accelerated the biodegradation rate of the scaffolds. Additionally, it was illustrated that the scaffolds had no noticeable in vitro cytotoxicity, and mouse fibroblast L929 cells and osteoblast MG-63 cells attached to and proliferated on their surface desirably. Our findings indicate that the PGAG/PVDF blend and its nanocomposites could be high-potential candidates for a range of hard tissues, specifically cancellous bones.

Different methods of synthesizing poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS): A review

Poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) is a biodegradable elastomer that has attracted increasing attention as a potential material for applications in biological tissue engineering. The conventional method of synthesis, first described in 2002, is based on the polycondensation of glycerol and sebacic acid, but it is a time-consuming and energy-intensive process. In recent years, new approaches for producing PGS, PGS blends, and PGS copolymers have been reported to not only reduce the time and energy required to obtain the final material but also to adjust the properties and processability of the PGS-based materials based on the desired applications. This review compiles more than 20 years of PGS synthesis reports, reported inconsistencies, and proposed alternatives to more rapidly produce PGS polymer structures or PGS derivatives with tailor-made properties. Synthesis conditions such as temperature, reaction time, reagent ratio, atmosphere, catalysts, microwave-assisted synthesis, and PGS modifications (urethane and acrylate groups, blends, and copolymers) were revisited to present and discuss the diverse alternatives to produce and adapt PGS.

Synthesis of Poly(glycerol butenedioate)-PGB-Unsaturated Polyester toward Biomedical Applications

A new polyester poly(glycerol butenedioate) (PGB) was obtained in the bulk polycondensation of glycerin and maleic anhydride. Glycerol polyesters are new biomaterials commonly used in tissue engineering. PGB, containing the α,β-unsaturated moiety, could be very interesting due to potential modifications such as additions or oxidation. Such modifications are not possible on the heretofore known glycerol polyesters due to their structure without α,β-unsaturated moieties. In this work, the developed process was optimized by applying the design of experiments. The optimization criterium was the minimization of the E/Z isomer ratio. Applying the two-stage process, the E/Z isomer ratio was reduced from 5.5 to 0.5 compared to the one-stage process. The degree of branching was also reduced from 17 to 9%, as well as the degree of esterification from 0.89 to 0.72. The obtained structure can be used in modifying or cross-linking via Michael additions.

Chitosan as a Tool for Sustainable Development: A Mini Review

New developments require innovative ecofriendly materials defined by their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and versatility. For that reason, the scientific society is focused on biopolymers such as chitosan, which is the second most abundant in the world after cellulose. These new materials should show good properties in terms of sustainability, circularity, and energy consumption during industrial applications. The idea is to replace traditional raw materials with new ecofriendly materials which contribute to keeping a high production rate but also reducing its environmental impact and the costs. The chitosan shows interesting and unique properties, thus it can be used for different purposes which contributes to the design and development of sustainable novel materials. This helps in promoting sustainability through the use of chitosan and diverse materials based on it. For example, it is a good sustainable alternative for food packaging or it can be used for sustainable agriculture. The chitosan can also reduce the pollution of other industrial processes such as paper production. This mini review collects some of the most important advances for the sustainable use of chitosan for promoting circular economy. Hence, the present review focuses on different aspects of chitosan from its synthesis to multiple applications.

A novel environmentally friendly nanocomposite aerogel based on the semi-interpenetrating network of polyacrylic acid into Xanthan gum containing hydroxyapatite for efficient removal of methylene blue from wastewater

Eco-friendly nanocomposite aerogels were prepared as adsorbents for the removal of a model pollutant (methylene blue, MB) from water. These aerogels were comprised of hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles embedded within a polymer matrix consisting of a semi-interpenetrating network of xanthan gum (XG) and polyacrylic acid (PAA). Microscopy and BET analysis showed that the aerogels formed had a nanofibrous porous microstructure with a surface area of 89 m²/g. Rheological analysis showed that the aerogels were viscoelastic materials whose elasticity increased with increasing HA concentration (up to 5 w/w%). The aerogels were effective at removing MB from water, exhibiting an adsorption capacity of 130 mg/g after 200 min. The binding of the MB to the aerogels was mainly attributed to hydrogen bonding and electrostatic attraction. A reusability test showed that the MB removal efficiency of over 86% was preserved after 10 cycles of adsorption-desorption. These results suggest that our nanocomposite aerogels may be useful for the efficient removal of anionic pollutants from wastewater and water supplies due to their ease of synthesis, cost-effectiveness, good mechanical properties, high thermal stability, and good adsorption performance.