Nanocellulose from post-consumer cotton as potential bioadsorbent for treatment of lead-contaminated water

Abstract

The increasing accumulation of textile waste and the prevalence of heavy metal pollution highlight the urgent need for sustainable and low-cost remediation strategies. This study investigates the potential of nanocellulose derived from post-consumer cotton as a bioadsorbent for lead-contaminated water. Nanocellulose was extracted from 100% cotton thrifted clothing via acid hydrolysis, yielding 17.4 g (58% recovery) from an initial 30 g of material. The extracted nanocellulose appeared as a translucent gel before freeze-drying, after which it formed a fine, whitish powder. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed fibrils approximately 100 nm in diameter, confirming the nanoscale characteristics of the cellulose. Lead adsorption experiments were conducted at concentrations of 10, 30, and 50 mg/L, and the residual lead content was analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). The nanocellulose demonstrated removal efficiencies of 90%, 84%, and 76% at the respective concentrations, indicating high adsorptive performance, particularly at lower lead levels. These results affirm that nanocellulose extracted from post-consumer cotton waste is a promising, environmentally sustainable material for heavy metal remediation and supports circular economy practices by repurposing textile waste into valuable water treatment media.