Anisotropically structured hydrophobic fungus aerogels for high-efficiency oil/water separation

Fungus mycelium materials are emerging as a waste-free and low-energy alternative for environmentally friendly applications in insulation, packaging, and oil/water separation, utilizing cellulose-rich plant waste to grow a network of fine white filaments. This study presents the successful fabrication of a bio-based fungus aerogel based on top-down processing and chemical vapor deposition techniques. The resulting aerogel exhibits superior anisotropic structures, enhanced hydrophobic properties, and remarkable mechanical resilience. These features give the aerogel extraordinary performance as an environmentally friendly and highly efficient oil-absorbing material, exhibiting a remarkable oil absorption capacity of 30 g·g⁻¹ aerogel and maintaining a rapid and stable absorption capability even after 10 reuse cycles. Integrating dynamic fluid flow systems enables rapid and effective separation and collection of oil-water mixtures, which noticeably enhances the efficiency of oil-water separation processes. The combination of anisotropic structures, persistent hydrophobicity, and excellent shape recovery makes this fungus aerogel an optimal eco-friendly solution for oil absorption applications that require high efficiency and stability. This bio-based fungus aerogel offers a promising approach to address the challenges of environmental oil absorption while minimizing environmental impacts.