Hierarchically porous zirconium dioxide dual-templated by acacia mangium tannin extract and an amphiphilic triblock copolymer

In this article, a new hierarchical porous zirconia material with adjustable pore size is fabricated by using biomass materials of acacia mangium tannin extract (AMTE) and amphiphilic triblock copolymer poly(ethylene glycol)-blockpoly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (P123) as a dual-template for the first time. All the raw materials we used are non-toxic and the synthesis process is relatively simple, low-cost, eco-friendly, and reproducible, which is suitable for large-scale production. Characterization using SEM, N2 sorption isotherm, and Mercury intrusion porosimetry indicate that hierarchical porous ZrO2 combining abundant mesopores and macropores was synthesized successfully using P123 and AMTE as a dual template. Significantly, dual-templated ZrO2 with hierarchical porosity has an advantage over single-templated samples in protein adsorption, especially for the large-sized proteins. Furthermore, the real sample test shows the synthesized material with a multidimensional porous structure displays the potential for practical protein wastewater treatment. [Display omitted] •AMTE and P123 were used as dual template to synthesize hierarchical porous ZrO2 materials successfully.•SEM, N2 sorption isotherm and Mercury intrusion porosimetry confirm the features of hierarchical porosity.•Maximum adsorption capacity was measured to be 45.2 mg/g for Lyz and 35.4 mg/g for BSA.•Dual-templated ZrO2 showed superior adsorption capacity for proteins than single-templated.•Hierarchical porous ZrO2 can be a candidate to adsorb protein in wastewater.