[guard-of-terra]

Why can't we launch something like blobs of clay. Let objects stuck in it, and then it would deorbit on its own.

[iSnow]

They're too fast I guess. Try catching a rifle bullet with a blob of clay. And space debries can be way faster, i.e. have more kinetic energy.

[exDM69]

If you read the article all the way to the end, there was a suggestion of using aerogels to do exactly what you propose. But this was among the most expensive methods suggested.