Lignocellulose-based hydrogels for environmental remediation: Structure-function relationships, adsorption mechanism, and pathways towards sustainable water treatment
- 1International Research Centre of Nanotechnology for Himalayan Sustainability (IRCNHS), Shoolini University, Solan, H.P., 173229, India
- 2Zhejiang Kan New Material Co., Ltd., Suichang, 323300, China
Abstract
Lignocellulosic biomass has emerged as a promising platform for developing sustainable hydrogel adsorbents for water treatment applications. Owing to their three-dimensional network structures, tunable surface chemistry, and high swelling capacity, lignocellulosic hydrogels represent viable alternatives to conventional adsorbents. This review critically examines how biomass composition, cross-linking strategies, and hydrogel network architectures influence the structure–property relationships governing the adsorption of organic and inorganic pollutants from water. Particular emphasis is placed on physical, chemical, and hybrid cross-linking approaches, as well as the effects of processing conditions on the mechanical properties, sustainability, and functional group accessibility of hydrogels. In addition, the adsorption mechanisms of lignocellulosic hydrogels are systematically discussed, including ion exchange, surface complexation, hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interactions, and π–π stacking interactions enabled by lignin incorporation. Reported adsorption capacities range from moderate (∼50 mg g⁻¹) to exceptionally high (>3000 mg g⁻¹), depending on functionalization and operating conditions. Overall, chemically and hybrid cross-linked hydrogels generally outperform physically cross-linked systems, while lignocellulose-based hydrogels provide enhanced mechanical strength and tunable functionality. Moreover, hydrogels from lignocellulose possess immense potential to design functional high-performance adsorbents via tailored surface engineering. The results indicate the increasing significance of hydrogels from lignocellulosic sources due to their scalability, eco-friendliness, and tunability for next-generation wastewater treatment technologies.
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BibTeX
@article{verma2026lignocellulosebased,
title = {{Lignocellulose-based hydrogels for environmental remediation: Structure-function relationships, adsorption mechanism, and pathways towards sustainable water treatment}},
author = {Yaksha Verma and Hao Zhan and Jayati Sharma and Akshay Verma and 杜海山 and Yashika Jindal and Soni Patyal and Gaurav Kumar Sharma and Pooja Dhiman and Lizi Li},
journal = {Carbohydrate Polymer Technologies and Applications},
year = {2026},
month = jun,
doi = {10.1016/j.carpta.2026.101175},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carpta.2026.101175},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Lignocellulose-based hydrogels for environmental remediation: Structure-function relationships, adsorption mechanism, and pathways towards sustainable water treatment
AU - Yaksha Verma
AU - Hao Zhan
AU - Jayati Sharma
AU - Akshay Verma
AU - 杜海山
AU - Yashika Jindal
AU - Soni Patyal
AU - Gaurav Kumar Sharma
AU - Pooja Dhiman
AU - Lizi Li
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/06/03
JO - Carbohydrate Polymer Technologies and Applications
DO - 10.1016/j.carpta.2026.101175
UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carpta.2026.101175
AB - Lignocellulosic biomass has emerged as a promising platform for developing sustainable hydrogel adsorbents for water treatment applications. Owing to their three-dimensional network structures, tunable surface chemistry, and high swelling capacity, lignocellulosic hydrogels represent viable alternatives to conventional adsorbents. This review critically examines how biomass composition, cross-linking strategies, and hydrogel network architectures influence the structure–property relationships governing the adsorption of organic and inorganic pollutants from water. Particular emphasis is placed on physical, chemical, and hybrid cross-linking approaches, as well as the effects of processing conditions on the mechanical properties, sustainability, and functional group accessibility of hydrogels. In addition, the adsorption mechanisms of lignocellulosic hydrogels are systematically discussed, including ion exchange, surface complexation, hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interactions, and π–π stacking interactions enabled by lignin incorporation. Reported adsorption capacities range from moderate (∼50 mg g⁻¹) to exceptionally high (>3000 mg g⁻¹), depending on functionalization and operating conditions. Overall, chemically and hybrid cross-linked hydrogels generally outperform physically cross-linked systems, while lignocellulose-based hydrogels provide enhanced mechanical strength and tunable functionality. Moreover, hydrogels from lignocellulose possess immense potential to design functional high-performance adsorbents via tailored surface engineering. The results indicate the increasing significance of hydrogels from lignocellulosic sources due to their scalability, eco-friendliness, and tunability for next-generation wastewater treatment technologies.
SN - 2666-8939
ER -