Recyclable sericin/nanocellulose aerogel with high adsorption capacity for tetrabromobisphenol A in water: Insight from DFT calculations

Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) is a widely used brominated flame retardant, which poses great threat to environment and human health. In this study, a recyclable sericin/nanocellulose composite aerogel (SNCA) is developed for efficient removal of TBBPA from water. SNCA is synthesized by integrating natural protein into the nanocellulose framework via chemical crosslinking. The interconnected 3D network and abundant O-containing functional groups of SNCA contribute to its exceptional characteristics, including super elasticity (withstanding 1000 cyclic compressive tests without fracturing), superhydrophilicity (water contact angle close to 0°), and outstanding adsorption performance for TBBPA (reaching equilibrium in 20 min with maximum adsorption capacity of 173.83 mg/g). In addition, the SNCA can be easily recycled through a simple compression method, demonstrating remarkable reusability even after 10 regeneration cycles. Furthermore, toxicity evaluations reveal that SNCA effectively mitigates the adverse effects of TBBPA on freshwater algae, emphasizing its environmental friendliness. DFT calculations provide insights into the TBBPA adsorption mechanism, indicating the involvement of hydrogen bonding and electron donor–acceptor interactions. Overall, our findings establish SNCA as a sustainable, efficient, and recyclable solution for the removal of TBBPA from water, offering promising applications in water treatment and environmental remediation.