In this work, the bio-based aerogels are successfully synthesized from pineapple leaves (PLs) and chitosan (CS) by an effective and eco-friendly method that is feasible for mass production. The fabricated aerogels are ultra-lightweight, highly porous, durable and strongly acid resistant. The findings show the strong influence of chitosan content and pH of the medium on Cr(VI) adsorption of the PL/CS aerogels. The theoretical Langmuir maximum Cr(VI) uptake is up to 210.6–211.4 mg/g. The adsorption isotherm and kinetics of the samples are appropriate to the Langmuir model and the pseudo-second-order model, respectively. Furthermore, the Cr-absorption capacity retention rates of prepared aerogel are above 75% after 6 absorbing cycles by NaOH solution.

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Rice straw is an abundant source of agro-waste rich in cellulose, lignin, and silica. Currently, only around 20% of rice straw is employed for purposes such as fertilizers, animal feeding, biofuel production, and paper, while the remaining is mostly disposed of by open burning in the field, which presents a huge threat to the environment. Our research group has successfully recovered cellulose, lignin, and silica from rice straw through a mild chemical process. The final products have a high purity of over 90% and are proved suitable for further applications. The process also demonstrates its feasibility in mass production and is a potential approach toward sustainable rice straw management.