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In this work, we report a versatile approach for the development of an in-flow purification water system under solar illumination. Cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) were impregnated with TiO nanoparticles using water as a solvent to obtain hybrid CNF/TiO monoliths with 98% porosity. The opposite surface potential enables an electrostatically induced direct conjugation between TiO and CNFs. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of the surface morphology of the CNF/TiO monolith shows a homogeneous dense coating of titania nanoparticles onto the interconnected nanofibril network, providing a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area of about 80 m·g for the hybrid monolith. Furthermore, compression tests reveal a good shape recovery after unloading, thanks to the highly flexible and mechanically stable three-dimensional structure. Finally, the CNF-based hybrids were tested as catalysts for the decomposition of organic pollutants under solar illumination. The tests were performed using a continuous flow reactor with a customized holder, allowing the solution to pass through the monolith. The results reveal a good photocatalytic activity and a long-term stability of the hybrid CNF/TiO monolith toward the decomposition of methyl orange and paracetamol. These features provide a proof of concept for the applicability of the hybrid CNF/TiO monoliths for in-flow purification of water under solar illumination, not only for model dyes but also for organic pollutants of high practical relevance.

Bulk materials with remarkable mechanical properties have been developed by incorporating design principles of biological nacre into synthetic composites. However, this potential has not yet been fully leveraged for the fabrication of tough and strong materials that are also optically transparent. In this work, a manufacturing route that enables the formation of nacre‐like mineral bridges in a bioinspired composite consisting of glass platelets infiltrated with an index‐matching polymer matrix is developed. By varying the pressure applied during compaction of the glass platelets, composites with tunable levels of mineral bridges and platelet interconnectivity can be easily fabricated. The effect of platelet interconnectivity on the mechanical strength and fracture behavior of the bioinspired composites is investigated by performing state‐of‐the‐art fracture experiments combined with in situ electron microscopy. The results show that the formation of interconnections between platelets leads to bulk transparent materials with an unprecedented combination of strength and fracture toughness. This unusual set of properties can potentially fulfill currently unmet demands in electronic displays and related technologies.

Inspired by the cellular design of plant tissue, we present an approach to make versatile, tough, highly water-swelling composites. We embed highly swelling hydrogel particles inside tough, water-permeable, elastomeric matrices....

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