Investigation of the roles of lignin in biomass-based hydrogel for efficient desalination

doi:10.1007/s11705-023-2311-2

Front. Chem. Sci. Eng.

2023, Vol. 17

Issue (7) : 954-965 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11705-023-2311-2

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Investigation of the roles of lignin in biomass-based hydrogel for efficient desalination

Qizhao Shao, Lan Sun, Xinzhou Wu, Dafeng Zheng(

)

School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Green Fine Chemicals, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China

Download: PDF(5596 KB) HTML
Export: BibTeX | EndNote | Reference Manager | ProCite | RefWorks

Abstract

The shortage of freshwater has become a global challenge, and solar-driven interfacial evaporation for desalination is a promising way to alleviate the crisis. To develop highly efficient and environmentally friendly photothermal evaporator, the hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC)/alkaline lignin (AL)/graphene oxide (GO) hydrogels (CLGs) with remarkable evaporative performance were successfully fabricated by a facile sol–gel method using biomass residues. The influence of AL content on the physicochemical properties of the evaporator was investigated. The increasing content of AL improves the mechanical properties, saturated water content and crosslink density of the hydrogels. The designed materials exhibit outstanding thermal insulation capacity (the thermal conductivity of less than 0.05 W·m^–1·K^–1) and high light absorption capacity of more than 97%. The solar evaporation efficiency and water evaporation rate of the HEC/64 wt % of AL/GO hydrogels (CLG4) achieve 92.1% and 2.55 kg·m^–2·h^–1 under 1 sun, respectively. The salt resistance test results reveal that the evaporation rate of the CLG4 can still reach 2.44 kg·m^–2·h^–1 in 3.5 wt % NaCl solution. The solar evaporation rate of the CLG4 can maintain in the range of 2.45–2.59 kg·m^–2·h^–1 in five cycles. This low-cost lignin-based photothermal evaporator offers a sustainable strategy for desalination.

Keywords lignin photothermal cellulose desalination hydrogel

Corresponding Author(s): Dafeng Zheng

About author:

^* These authors contributed equally to this work.

Just Accepted Date: 24 April 2023 Online First Date: 12 June 2023 Issue Date: 05 July 2023

Cite this article:

Qizhao Shao,Lan Sun,Xinzhou Wu, et al. Investigation of the roles of lignin in biomass-based hydrogel for efficient desalination[J]. Front. Chem. Sci. Eng., 2023, 17(7): 954-965.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fcse/EN/10.1007/s11705-023-2311-2
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fcse/EN/Y2023/V17/I7/954

Fig.1 The preparation process and reaction mechanism of the CLG1.

Fig.2 SEM images of the (a, c, e, g and i) interior and (b, d, f, h and j) surface of the CLGs: (a, b) CLG1, (c, d) CLG2, (e, f) CLG3, (g, h) CLG4, (i, j) CLG5.

Fig.3 Elastic moduli G′ as a function of frequency measured.

Fig.4 FTIR spectra of the (a) HEC and AL and (b) CLGs.

Fig.5 (a) Surface water contact angle of CLGs; (b) internal wettability test of the CLGs.

Fig.6 (a) Light absorption spectra of the CLGs in the wavelength range of 300–2500 nm; (b) thermal conductivity of the CLGs.

Fig.7 (a) Illustration of photothermal evaporation process; (b) equivalent evaporation enthalpy of the water and CLGs; (c) water evaporation rate of the water and CLGs in dark condition.

Tab.1 The comparison of evaporation performance of CLG4 under 1 sun and previous work

Fig.8 (a) The mass change of water under 1 sun; (b) the surface temperature rises of the CLGs relative to heating time under 1?sun; (c) the infrared photographs of the CLGs surface in different times under 1 sun.

Fig.9 (a) The evaporation rate and efficiency of the CLGs under 1 sun; (b) the evaporation rate of the CLG4 under different sunlight intensity; (c) the circulating water evaporation data of the CLG4; (d) concentrations of ions in the artificial seawater via solar evaporation using the CLG4.

1	M Salehi. Global water shortage and potable water safety: today’s concern and tomorrow’s crisis. Environment International, 2022, 158: 106936 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2021.106936
2	G Wang, T Yan, J Shen, J Zhang, L Shi, D Zhang. Beneficial synergy of adsorption-intercalation-conversion mechanisms in Nb2O5@nitrogen-doped carbon frameworks for promoted removal of metal ions via hybrid capacitive deionization. Environmental Science: Nano, 2021, 8(1): 122–130 https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EN01003K
3	J Bartram, C Brocklehurst, M B Fisher, R Luyendijk, R Hossain, T Wardlaw, B Gordon. Global monitoring of water supply and sanitation: history, methods and future challenges. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2014, 11(8): 8137–8165 https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph110808137
4	L Huang, T Yan, A E D Mahmoud, S Li, J Zhang, L Shi, D Zhang. Enhanced water purificationviaredox interfaces created by an atomic layer deposition strategy. Environmental Science: Nano, 2021, 8(4): 950–959 https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EN00085C
5	K Kim, S Yu, C An, S W Kim, J H Jang. Mesoporous three-dimensional graphene networks for highly efficient solar desalination under 1 sun illumination. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2018, 10(18): 15602–15608 https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.7b19584
6	H Bai, P He, L Hao, Z Fan, R Niu, T Tang, J Gong. Waste-treating-waste: upcycling discarded polyester into metal−organic framework nanorod for synergistic interfacial solar evaporation and sulfate-based advanced oxidation process. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2023, 456: 140994 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2022.140994
7	S F Anis, R Hashaikeh, N Hilal. Functional materials in desalination: a review. Desalination, 2019, 468: 114077 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2019.114077
8	H N Panchal, S Patel. An extensive review on different design and climatic parameters to increase distillate output of solar still. Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2017, 69: 750–758 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2016.09.001
9	L Chen, J Ren, J Gong, J Qu, R Niu. Cost-effective, scalable fabrication of self-floating xerogel foam for simultaneous photothermal water evaporation and thermoelectric power generation. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2023, 454: 140383 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2022.140383
10	K Garg, V Khullar, S K Das, H Tyagi. Performance evaluation of a brine-recirculation multistage flash desalination system coupled with nanofluid-based direct absorption solar collector. Renewable Energy, 2018, 122: 140–151 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2018.01.050
11	M R Chowdhury, J Steffes, B D Huey, J R McCutcheon. 3D printed polyamide membranes for desalination. Science, 2018, 361(6403): 682–686 https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aar2122
12	P Zhang, Q Liao, H Yao, Y Huang, H Cheng, L Qu. Direct solar steam generation system for clean water production. Energy Storage Materials, 2019, 18: 429–446 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ensm.2018.10.006
13	C Chen, Y Kuang, L Hu. Challenges and opportunities for solar evaporation. Joule, 2019, 3(3): 683–718 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joule.2018.12.023
14	Z Fan, J Ren, H Bai, P He, L Hao, N Liu, B Chen, R Niu, J Gong. Shape-controlled fabrication of MnO/C hybrid nanoparticle from waste polyester for solar evaporation and thermoelectricity generation. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2023, 451: 138534 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2022.138534
15	A M Blanco-Marigorta, A Lozano-Medina, J D Marcos. A critical review of definitions for exergetic efficiency in reverse osmosis desalination plants. Energy, 2017, 137: 752–760 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2017.05.136
16	S H Choi. On the brine re-utilization of a multi-stage flashing (MSF) desalination plant. Desalination, 2016, 398: 64–76 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2016.07.020
17	F Wang, Z Cheng, J Tan, Y Yuan, S Yong, L Liu. Progress in concentrated solar power technology with parabolic trough collector system: a comprehensive review. Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2017, 79: 1314–1328 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2017.05.174
18	R Kunwer, S Pandey, G Pandey. Technical challenges and their solutions for integration of sensible thermal energy storage with concentrated solar power applications—a review. Process Integration and Optimization for Sustainability, 2022, 6(3): 559–585 https://doi.org/10.1007/s41660-022-00231-9
19	H D Kiriarachchi, A A Hassan, F S Awad, M S El-Shall. Metal-free functionalized carbonized cotton for efficient solar steam generation and wastewater treatment. RSC Advances, 2021, 12(2): 1043–1050 https://doi.org/10.1039/D1RA08438K
20	L Zhu, M Gao, C K N Peh, G W Ho. Solar-driven photothermal nanostructured materials designs and prerequisites for evaporation and catalysis applications. Materials Horizons, 2018, 5(3): 323–343 https://doi.org/10.1039/C7MH01064H
21	H Fan, A Gao, G Zhang, S Zhao, J Cui, Y Yan. A design of bifunctional photothermal layer on polysulfone membrane with enclosed cellular-like structure for efficient solar steam generation. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2021, 415: 128798 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2021.128798
22	C Xiao, L Chen, P Mu, J Jia, H Sun, Z Zhu, W Liang, A Li. Sugarcane-based photothermal materials for efficient solar steam generation. ChemistrySelect, 2019, 4(27): 7891–7895 https://doi.org/10.1002/slct.201901889
23	Y Liu, S Yu, R Feng, A Bernard, Y Liu, Y Zhang, H Duan, W Shang, P Tao, C Song, T Deng. A bioinspired, reusable, paper-based system for high-performance large-scale evaporation. Advanced Materials, 2015, 27(17): 2768–2774 https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201500135
24	B S Joo, I S Kim, I Ki Han, H Ko, J Gu Kang, G Kang. Plasmonic silicon nanowires for enhanced heat localization and interfacial solar steam generation. Applied Surface Science, 2022, 583: 152563 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2022.152563
25	W Huang, P Su, Y Cao, C Li, D Chen, X Tian, Y Su, B Qiao, J Tu, X Wang. Three-dimensional hierarchical CuxS-based evaporator for high-efficiency multifunctional solar distillation. Nano Energy, 2020, 69: 104465 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2020.104465
26	P Zhang, M Xie, Y Jin, C Jin, Z Wang. A bamboo-based photothermal conversion device for efficient solar steam generation. ACS Applied Polymer Materials, 2022, 4(4): 2393–2400 https://doi.org/10.1021/acsapm.1c01681
27	D Zhong, Q Liu, D Zheng. Synthesis of lignin-grafted polycarboxylate superplasticizer and the dispersion performance in the cement paste. Colloids and Surfaces A, 2022, 642: 128689 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2022.128689
28	M Yu, D Mishra, Z Cui, X Wang, Q Lu. Recycling papermill waste lignin into recyclable and flowerlike composites for effective oil/water separation. Composites Part B: Engineering, 2021, 216: 108884 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2021.108884
29	J Chen, L An, J W Heo, J H Bae, H Jeong, Y S Kim. Utilization of aminated lignin as an adsorbent to remove cationic and anionic dyes from aqueous solutions. Journal of Wood Chemistry and Technology, 2022, 42(2): 114–124 https://doi.org/10.1080/02773813.2022.2036194
30	L Sun, Z Mo, Q Li, D Zheng, X Qiu, X Pan. Facile synthesis and performance of pH/temperature dual-response hydrogel containing lignin-based carbon dots. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2021, 175: 516–525 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.02.049
31	Y Li, D Yang, P Li, Z Li. Lignin as a multi-functional agent for the synthesis of Ag nanoparticles and its application in antibacterial coatings. Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 2022, 17: 3211–3220 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2022.02.049
32	S Jiang, Z Zhang, T Zhou, S Duan, Z Yang, Y Ju, C Jia, X Lu, F Chen. Lignin hydrogel-based solar-driven evaporator for cost-effective and highly efficient water purification. Desalination, 2022, 531: 115706 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2022.115706
33	X Zhao, C Huang, D Xiao, P Wang, X Luo, W Liu, S Liu, J Li, S Li, Z Chen. Melanin-inspired design: preparing sustainable photothermal materials from lignin for energy generation. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2021, 13(6): 7600–7607 https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.0c21256
34	S Huang, L Wu, T Li, D Xu, X Lin, C Wu. Facile preparation of biomass lignin-based hydroxyethyl cellulose super-absorbent hydrogel for dye pollutant removal. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2019, 137: 939–947 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.06.234
35	L Wu, S Huang, J Zheng, Z Qiu, X Lin, Y Qin. Synthesis and characterization of biomass lignin-based PVA super-absorbent hydrogel. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2019, 140: 538–545 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.08.142
36	H Bidgoli, Y Mortazavi, A A Khodadadi. A functionalized nano-structured cellulosic sorbent aerogel for oil spill cleanup: synthesis and characterization. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2019, 366: 229–239 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2018.11.084
37	C Wang, Y Xiong, B Fan, Q Yao, H Wang, C Jin, Q Sun. Cellulose as an adhesion agent for the synthesis of lignin aerogel with strong mechanical performance, sound-absorption and thermal insulation. Scientific Reports, 2016, 6(1): 32383 https://doi.org/10.1038/srep32383
38	Z Xie, J Zhu, L Zhang. Three-dimensionally structured polypyrrole-coated setaria viridis spike composites for efficient solar steam generation. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2021, 13(7): 9027–9035 https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.0c22917
39	J Tang, M U Javaid, C Pan, G Yu, R M Berry, K C Tam. Self-healing stimuli-responsive cellulose nanocrystal hydrogels. Carbohydrate Polymers, 2020, 229: 115486 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2019.115486
40	K Ravishankar, M Venkatesan, R P Desingh, A Mahalingam, B Sadhasivam, R Subramaniyam, R Dhamodharan. Biocompatible hydrogels of chitosan-alkali lignin for potential wound healing applications. Materials Science and Engineering C, 2019, 102: 447–457 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msec.2019.04.038
41	L Dai, W Zhu, J Lu, F Kong, C Si, Y Ni. A lignin-containing cellulose hydrogel for lignin fractionation. Green Chemistry, 2019, 21(19): 5222–5230 https://doi.org/10.1039/C9GC01975H
42	K Rong, J Wei, Y Wang, J Liu, Z A Qiao, Y Fang, S Dong. Deep eutectic solvent assisted zero-waste electrospinning of lignin fiber aerogels. Green Chemistry, 2021, 23(16): 6065–6075 https://doi.org/10.1039/D1GC01872H
43	C Feng, P Ren, Z Li, W Tan, H Zhang, Y Jin, F Ren. Graphene/waste-newspaper cellulose composite aerogels with selective adsorption of organic dyes: preparation, characterization, and adsorption mechanism. New Journal of Chemistry, 2020, 44(6): 2256–2267 https://doi.org/10.1039/C9NJ05346H
44	F Zhao, X Zhou, Y Shi, X Qian, M Alexander, X Zhao, S Mendez, R Yang, L Qu, G Yu. Highly efficient solar vapour generation via hierarchically nanostructured gels. Nature Nanotechnology, 2018, 13(6): 489–495 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41565-018-0097-z
45	X Zhou, F Zhao, Y Guo, Y Zhang, G Yu. A hydrogel-based antifouling solar evaporator for highly efficient water desalination. Energy & Environmental Science, 2018, 11(8): 1985–1992 https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EE00567B
46	X Zhou, Y Guo, F Zhao, G Yu. Hydrogels as an emerging material platform for solar water purification. Accounts of Chemical Research, 2019, 52(11): 3244–3253 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.accounts.9b00455
47	H Yao, P Zhang, C Yang, Q Liao, X Hao, Y Huang, M Zhang, X Wang, T Lin, H Cheng, J Yuan, L Qu. Janus-interface engineering boosting solar steam towards high-efficiency water collection. Energy & Environmental Science, 2021, 14(10): 5330–5338 https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EE01381E
48	Y Guo, X Zhou, F Zhao, J Bae, B Rosenberger, G Yu. Synergistic energy nanoconfinement and water activation in hydrogels for efficient solar water desalination. ACS Nano, 2019, 13(7): 7913–7919 https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.9b02301
49	Y Lu, X Wang, D Fan, H Yang, H Xu, H Min, X Yang. Biomass derived janus solar evaporator for synergic water evaporation and purification. Sustainable Materials and Technologies, 2020, 25: e00180 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.susmat.2020.e00180
50	F Jiang, H Liu, Y Li, Y Kuang, X Xu, C Chen, H Huang, C Jia, X Zhao, E Hitz, Y Zhou, R Yang, L Cui, L Hu. Lightweight, mesoporous, and highly absorptive all-nanofiber aerogel for efficient solar steam generation. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2018, 10(1): 1104–1112 https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.7b15125
51	Q Fang, T Li, Z Chen, H Lin, P Wang, F Liu. Full biomass-derived solar stills for robust and stable evaporation to collect clean water from various water-bearing media. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2019, 11(11): 10672–10679 https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.9b00291
52	M S Irshad, X Wang, M S Abbasi, N Arshad, Z Chen, Z Guo, L Yu, J Qian, J You, T Mei. Semiconductive, flexible MnO2 NWs/chitosan hydrogels for efficient solar steam generation. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 2021, 9(10): 3887–3900 https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.0c08981
53	J Li, X Zhou, J Zhang, C Liu, F Wang, Y Zhao, H Sun, Z Zhu, W Liang, A Li. Migration crystallization device based on biomass photothermal materials for efficient salt-eejection solar steam generation. ACS Applied Energy Materials, 2020, 3(3): 3024–3032 https://doi.org/10.1021/acsaem.0c00126
54	Y Guo, J Bae, Z Fang, P Li, F Zhao, G Yu. Hydrogels and hydrogel-derived materials for energy and water sustainability. Chemical Reviews, 2020, 120(15): 7642–7707 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c00345

[1]

Download

[1]	Guodong Tian, Chao Duan, Bingxu Zhou, Chaochao Tian, Qiang Wang, Jiachuan Chen. Lignin-based electrospun nanofiber membrane decorated with photo-Fenton Ag@MIF-100(Fe) heterojunctions for complex wastewater remediation[J]. Front. Chem. Sci. Eng., 2023, 17(7): 930-941.
[2]	Fan Zhang, Ce Gao, Shang-Ru Zhai, Qing-Da An. Nanosilver anchored alginate/poly(acrylic acid/acrylamide) double-network hydrogel composites for efficient catalytic degradation of organic dyes[J]. Front. Chem. Sci. Eng., 2023, 17(7): 893-905.
[3]	Xiuzhi Tian, Rui Yang, Chuanyin Xiong, Haibo Deng, Yonghao Ni, Xue Jiang. Dialdehyde cellulose nanocrystal cross-linked chitosan foam with high adsorption capacity for removal of acid red 134[J]. Front. Chem. Sci. Eng., 2023, 17(7): 853-866.
[4]	Benjing Xu, Jinhang Dai, Ziting Du, Fukun Li, Huan Liu, Xingxing Gu, Xingmin Wang, Ning Li, Jun Zhao. Catalytic conversion of biomass-derived compounds to various amino acids: status and perspectives[J]. Front. Chem. Sci. Eng., 2023, 17(7): 817-829.
[5]	Xuepeng Ni, Kunming Li, Changlei Li, Qianqian Wu, Chenglin Liu, Huifang Chen, Qilin Wu, Anqi Ju. Construction of NiCo₂O₄ nanoflake arrays on cellulose-derived carbon nanofibers as a freestanding electrode for high-performance supercapacitors[J]. Front. Chem. Sci. Eng., 2023, 17(6): 691-703.
[6]	Yongsheng Zhang, Xiaomeng Yang, Jinpan Bao, Hang Qian, Dong Sui, Jianshe Wang, Chunbao Charles Xu, Yanfang Huang. Electrospun porous carbon nanofibers derived from bio-based phenolic resins as free-standing electrodes for high-performance supercapacitors[J]. Front. Chem. Sci. Eng., 2023, 17(5): 504-515.
[7]	Zhentao Hao, Si Chen, Zhifeng Lin, Weihua Li. Anticorrosive composite self-healing coating enabled by solar irradiation[J]. Front. Chem. Sci. Eng., 2022, 16(9): 1355-1366.
[8]	Xing Feng, Meiqing Du, Hongbei Wei, Xiaoxiao Ruan, Tao Fu, Jie Zhang, Xiaolong Sun. Chemically triggered life control of “smart” hydrogels through click and declick reactions[J]. Front. Chem. Sci. Eng., 2022, 16(9): 1399-1406.
[9]	Yuyao Han, Lei Xia, Xupin Zhuang, Yuxia Liang. Integrating of metal-organic framework UiO-66-NH₂ and cellulose nanofibers mat for high-performance adsorption of dye rose bengal[J]. Front. Chem. Sci. Eng., 2022, 16(9): 1387-1398.
[10]	Feng Zhang, Lu Tan, Li Gong, Shuqi Liu, Wangxi Fang, Zhenggong Wang, Shoujian Gao, Jian Jin. Ionic strength directed self-assembled polyelectrolyte single-bilayer membrane for low-pressure nanofiltration[J]. Front. Chem. Sci. Eng., 2022, 16(5): 699-708.
[11]	Sunhui Chen, Qiujun Qiu, Dongdong Wang, Dejun She, Bo Yin, Meihong Chai, Huining He, Dong Nyoung Heo, Jianxin Wang. Long acting carmustine loaded natural extracellular matrix hydrogel for inhibition of glioblastoma recurrence after tumor resection[J]. Front. Chem. Sci. Eng., 2022, 16(4): 536-545.
[12]	Jiajia Li, Shengcheng Zhai, Weibing Wu, Zhaoyang Xu. Hydrophobic nanocellulose aerogels with high loading of metal-organic framework particles as floating and reusable oil absorbents[J]. Front. Chem. Sci. Eng., 2021, 15(5): 1158-1168.
[13]	Sebastian Leaper, Ahmed Abdel-Karim, Patricia Gorgojo. The use of carbon nanomaterials in membrane distillation membranes: a review[J]. Front. Chem. Sci. Eng., 2021, 15(4): 755-774.
[14]	Bangxian Peng, Rusen Zhou, Ying Chen, Song Tu, Yingwu Yin, Liyi Ye. Immobilization of nano-zero-valent irons by carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals for wastewater remediation[J]. Front. Chem. Sci. Eng., 2020, 14(6): 1006-1017.
[15]	Chunyan Yang, Xiaoliang Yuan, Xueting Wang, Kejing Wu, Yingying Liu, Changjun Liu, Houfang Lu, Bin Liang. Ball milling promoted direct liquefaction of lignocellulosic biomass in supercritical ethanol[J]. Front. Chem. Sci. Eng., 2020, 14(4): 605-613.

Viewed

Full text

Abstract

Cited

Shared

Discussed