Synthesis of iron-based metal–organic framework@bacterial cellulose aerogels by an in situ growth method for multifunctional dye removal and oil–water separation applications

, respectively. Adsorption kinetics conformed to the pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models, while isotherm behavior was well-described by the Langmuir and Freundlich models. Thermodynamic analysis indicated that the adsorption process was spontaneous, exothermic, and entropy-increasing. Photocatalytic degradation experiments under visible light irradiation showed that both materials were effective in degrading methylene blue (MB) and rhodamine B (RhB). Gravity-driven oil-water separation testing confirmed the materials' ability to efficiently separate oil-water mixtures of varying densities and exhibited the simultaneous adsorption of residual dyes in the lower phase during the separation process. Therefore, the MOF-loaded cellulose aerogels developed in this study demonstrated integrated functionalities of adsorption, photocatalysis, and oil-water separation, proving their potential for the integrated remediation of wastewater treatment.