Nanostructuration of cellulose aerogels and their organic-inorganic hybrids
Abstract
Cellulose aerogels can be prepared via dissolution-coagulation-drying with supercritical CO2 (so-called “Aerocellulose”). They are ultra-light (apparent density 0.05-0.20 g/cm3), with rather high specific surface (200-300 m2/g) and pore sizes distribution ranging from a few tens of nanometers to few microns. In the view of Aerocellulose nanostructuring (for example, to achieve low thermal conductivity), two approaches were taken: i) cellulose chemical cross-linking and ii) preparation of cellulose-silica hybrid aerogels. Compared to pure Aerocellulose the thermal conductivity of such nanostructured Aerocellulose was found to be reduced and specific surface of organic-inorganic hybrids was increased up to 800 m2/g. Structure-properties relationships of these novel materials will be discussed.