As society increasingly prioritizes sustainability and ecological balance, green materials have become a focal point across multiple industries. Silica gel, known for its structural stability, non-toxicity, and renewability, is now being widely explored in environmental protection beyond its traditional role as a desiccant. Its applications are expanding into pollution control, resource recovery, and air and water purification.

In air purification, functionalized silica gel adsorbents are extensively used to capture volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, sulfur dioxide, and ammonia. By introducing functional groups such as amines, thiols, or quaternary ammonium salts onto its surface, silica gel’s selectivity and adsorption efficiency are significantly enhanced. These modified gels are frequently utilized in indoor air treatment systems and industrial exhaust purification.

In the water treatment sector, silica gel demonstrates strong performance in removing heavy metal ions (like lead, mercury, and chromium), dyes, and organic pollutants due to its high surface area and porous structure. Recent innovations have led to the development of magnetic and photocatalytic silica gel composites, which improve separation and regeneration efficiency in complex wastewater environments, offering both cost-effectiveness and environmental sustainability.

Silica gel also serves as an eco-friendly catalyst support in green chemical reactions, including the oxidative degradation of organic pollutants in wastewater. In heterogeneous catalysis and enzyme immobilization, silica gel provides an excellent platform that enhances catalyst dispersion and reusability.

Another notable advantage of silica gel is its renewability. It can be regenerated multiple times through low-temperature heating or vacuum treatment, minimizing material waste and secondary pollution. This aligns well with circular economy principles and low-carbon development strategies.

With advances in surface modification and functional design, silica gel is evolving into a smart environmental material. Innovations such as temperature-sensitive, pH-responsive, and light-triggered release gels are expected to bring more intelligent and efficient solutions to pollution control and environmental monitoring.

In summary, silica gel is not only an essential material in industry but also a promising component in the future of sustainable environmental management.

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