Colloid‐Mediated Fabrication of a 3D Pollen Sponge for Oil Remediation Applications. (12th March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hwang, Youngkyu; Ibrahim, Mohammed Shahrudin Bin; Deng, Jingyu; Jackman, Joshua A.; Cho, Nam‐Joon
• Is Part Of: Advanced functional materials. Volume 31:Number 24(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-03-12
• Subjects: 3D scaffolds -- biological materials -- colloids -- pollen grains -- porous materials; Materials -- Periodicals; Chemical vapor deposition -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202101091
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1616-301X

Abstract

Abstract: There is tremendous interest in developing 3D scaffolds from natural materials for a wide range of healthcare, energy, photonic, and environmental science applications. To date, most natural materials that are used to make 3D scaffolds consist of fibril structures; however, it would be advantageous to explore the development of scaffolds from natural materials with distinct supramolecular structures. Herein, the fabrication of a mechanically responsive pollen sponge that exhibits tunable 3D scaffold properties and is useful for oil remediation applications is reported. By using pollen‐based microgel particles as colloidal building blocks, the sponge fabrication process is optimized by tuning the processing conditions during freeze‐drying and thermal annealing steps. Stearic acid functionalization transforms the pollen sponge into a hydrophobic scaffold that can readily and repeatedly absorb oil and other organic solvents from contaminated water sources, with similar performance levels to commercial, synthetic polymer‐based absorbents and an improved environmental footprint. Abstract : A 3D microporous sponge is fabricated from natural pollen grains, which are converted into microgel‐like particles that self‐assemble into a spongy scaffold. The pollen sponge is functionalized with a natural fatty acid to create a hydrophobic sponge material that readily and repeatedly absorbs oil and other organic solvent contaminants from water sources.