Toward the Development of Graphene/Chitosan Biocomposite Aerogels with Enhanced Mechanical and Thermal Insulation Performance
Résumé
Developing lightweight 3D materials from biopolymers that exhibit high heat resistance, improved mechanical strength, and low thermal conductivity is crucial for numerous advanced applications. Herein, we successfully fabricated low-density biocomposite aerogels based on chitosan (CS) with exceptional porous structures (porosity exceeding 98%) by utilizing a straightforward approach free of hazardous chemicals. These aerogels combined high mechanical performance, thermal insulation, thermal stability and fire safety. This was achieved through the incorporation of a small amount of graphene nanofillers (G) using an eco-friendly freeze-drying process. The significant influence of the synthesis method as well as the composition and microstructure on the mechanical and thermal insulation performance of G-CS aerogels were highlighted. Two dispersion approaches for graphene were compared: direct addition to the CS solution followed by sonication, and pre-dispersion in water before incorporation into the CS solution. After multidirectional random freezing at different temperatures (-30°C, -60°C, and -196°C) and subsequent freeze-drying, the second approach yielded superior mechanical properties in G-CS aerogels. These aerogels showed improved mechanical resistance with increasing graphene content, reaching a Young's modulus of 376 KPa, which was 2.75 times larger than that of pure chitosan aerogel. G10-CS showed a remarkable compressive strength to bear loads, approximately 3000 times its weight. SEM analyses revealed that graphene incorporation and reducing the freezing temperature to -60°C transformed the aerogel's microstructure from lamellar to a 3D interconnected honeycomb-like structure, resulting in reduced thermal conductivity (0.038 W.m -1 .K -1 ). The G10-CS composite aerogel is expected to be a promising candidate for various practical applications, including thermal and acoustic insulation, energy storage systems, gas detection sensors, biomedical devices, environmental remediation, advanced filtration technologies, and drug delivery.
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