Gels for Adsorption and Separation

A special issue of Gels (ISSN 2310-2861). This special issue belongs to the section "Gel Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2026) | Viewed by 3995

Special Issue Editor

Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
Interests: silica-based gel; water treatment; interface interaction

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Gels have emerged as highly effective materials for adsorption and separation processes. Due to their unique properties, such as high surface areas, tunable pore structures, and chemical functionality, gels can selectively adsorb and separate a wide range of substances. In the field of adsorption, gels can efficiently capture various contaminants from liquids and gases, offering promising solutions for environmental protection and pollution control. For separation applications, gels can separate different components based on size, shape, charge, or affinity, finding extensive uses in industries like chemical processing, biotechnology, and water treatment. The development of novel gel materials with enhanced performance and stability is a key focus of current research. By optimizing the composition and structure of gels, their adsorption capacity and selectivity can be further improved, making them a powerful tool for addressing complex separation and purification challenges in various fields.

This Special Issue, “Gels for Adsorption and Separation”, focuses on the preparation of physical and chemical gels as well as the mechanisms of adsorption and separation. Both original papers and reviews are welcome.

Dr. Hui Yang
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • gel materials
  • adsorption and separation
  • smart gel
  • efficiency, capacity, and selectivity
  • composition and structure of gels

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 5917 KB  
Article
Preparation of CO2-Adsorbing Fire-Extinguishing Gel and Study on Inhibition of Coal Spontaneous Combustion
by Jianguo Wang, Zhenzhen Zhang and Conghui Li
Gels 2026, 12(1), 68; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels12010068 - 12 Jan 2026
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 404
Abstract
Spontaneous coal combustion accounts for more than 90% of mine fires, and at the same time, the ‘dual carbon’ strategy requires fire prevention and extinguishing materials to have both low-carbon and environmentally friendly functions. To meet on-site application needs, a composite gel with [...] Read more.
Spontaneous coal combustion accounts for more than 90% of mine fires, and at the same time, the ‘dual carbon’ strategy requires fire prevention and extinguishing materials to have both low-carbon and environmentally friendly functions. To meet on-site application needs, a composite gel with fast injection, flame retardant, and CO2 adsorption functions was developed. PVA-PEI-PAC materials were selected as the gel raw materials, and an orthogonal test with three factors and three levels was used to optimize the gelation time parameters to identify the optimal formulation. The microstructure of the gel, CO2 adsorption performance, as well as its inhibition rate of CO, a marker gas of coal spontaneous combustion, and its effect on activation energy were systematically characterized through SEM, isothermal/temperature-programmed/cyclic adsorption experiments, and temperature-programmed gas chromatography. The results show that the optimal gel formulation is 14% PVA, 7% PEI, and 5.5% PAC. The gel microstructure is continuous, dense, and rich in pores, with a CO2 adsorption capacity at 30 °C and atmospheric pressure of 0.86 cm3/g, maintaining over 76% efficiency after five cycles. Compared with raw coal, a 10% gel addition reduces CO release at 170 °C by 25.97%, and the temperature-programmed experiment shows an average CO inhibition rate of 25% throughout, with apparent activation energy increased by 14.96%. The gel prepared exhibited controllable gelation time, can deeply encapsulate coal, and can efficiently adsorb CO2, significantly raising the coal–oxygen reaction energy barrier, providing an integrated technical solution for mine fire prevention and extinguishing with both safety and carbon reduction functions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gels for Adsorption and Separation)
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Review

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44 pages, 3588 KB  
Review
Hydrogels for Climate Change Mitigation: Applications in Water Harvesting, Passive Cooling, and Environmental Solutions
by Julia Gałęziewska, Weronika Kruczkowska, Katarzyna Helena Grabowska, Żaneta Kałuzińska-Kołat and Elżbieta Płuciennik
Gels 2025, 11(11), 924; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11110924 - 19 Nov 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3304
Abstract
Climate change presents significant global challenges, with rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and degrading ecosystems threatening both human societies and the environment. The increasing intensity of these climatic effects demands innovative approaches to adaptation and mitigation. Hydrogels, three-dimensional networks of crosslinked polymers with [...] Read more.
Climate change presents significant global challenges, with rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and degrading ecosystems threatening both human societies and the environment. The increasing intensity of these climatic effects demands innovative approaches to adaptation and mitigation. Hydrogels, three-dimensional networks of crosslinked polymers with water absorption and retention properties, have become viable multipurpose materials for climate solutions in response to these pressing issues. This review examines four primary applications of hydrogels as climate technologies: atmospheric water harvesting, passive cooling, soil health enhancement, and energy conservation. These materials address climate challenges through their unique properties including high water absorption capacity, stimuli-responsive behavior, and biocompatibility. By effectively capturing moisture, hydrogel-based devices provide sustainable freshwater production in areas with limited water resources. For thermal management, they offer passive cooling through evaporative processes, reducing energy consumption compared to conventional air conditioning systems. Superabsorbent hydrogels in agriculture help drought-resistant crop development in arid areas and improve soil water retention. Smart windows with thermochromic hydrogels allow for passive energy savings by dynamically modulating the sun’s light without the need for additional electricity. Through integrated deployment techniques, biodegradable formulations from sustainable sources handle various climate issues while ensuring environmental compatibility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gels for Adsorption and Separation)
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