Ultrastrong lightweight nanocellulose-based composite aerogels with robust superhydrophobicity and durable thermal insulation under extremely environment

Yushan Yang; Baokang Dang; Chao Wang; Yipeng Chen; Kaicong Chen; Xinjie Chen; Yingying Li; Qingfeng Sun

doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.121392

Ultrastrong lightweight nanocellulose-based composite aerogels with robust superhydrophobicity and durable thermal insulation under extremely environment

Carbohydr Polym. 2024 Jan 1:323:121392. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.121392. Epub 2023 Sep 14.

Authors

Yushan Yang¹, Baokang Dang², Chao Wang¹, Yipeng Chen¹, Kaicong Chen¹, Xinjie Chen¹, Yingying Li³, Qingfeng Sun⁴

Affiliations

¹ College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, PR China.
² College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, PR China; Guangxi Fenglin Wood Industry Group Co., Ltd., Nanning 530000, PR China.
³ College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, PR China. Electronic address: yyli@zafu.edu.cn.
⁴ College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, PR China. Electronic address: qfsun@zafu.edu.cn.

PMID: 37940285
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.121392

Abstract

Ultra-lightweight porous aerogels based on nanocellulose (NC) have promising applications in various fields such as building insulation, sewage treatment, energy storage, and aerospace. One of the key advantages of these aerogels is their exceptionally low thermal conductivity. Nevertheless, the thermal insulation of NC aerogel (NCA) can deteriorate with changes in temperature and humidity conditions, making it crucial to develop a bulk aerogel that can maintain exceptional thermal insulating properties in harsh environmental conditions. A sustainable and user-friendly approach to synthesizing cellulose/poly(vinyl alcohol) aerogel (CellPA) materials has been developed, which are lightweight, possess good insulating properties, and demonstrate robust superhydrophobicity even in harsh environmental conditions. The CellPA are both exceptionally lightweight and robust, boasting outstanding resistance to combustion while also displaying a thermal conductivity of 36.1 mW m^-1 K^-1, suggesting they hold great promise for insulation applications. Furthermore, CellPA also exhibits robust superhydrophobicity even under harsh conditions, confirming the homogenous superhydrophobic modification of the biodegradable PVA through chemical methods. The manufacturing of bio-based composite materials with enhanced mechanical and thermal insulation features has gained immense popularity in a broad spectrum of contemporary engineering applications. These composite materials are particularly valuable as a robust, energy-efficient, lightweight, waterproof and flameproof for construction materials.

Keywords: Lightweight; Nanocellulose; Robust superhydrophobicity; Thermal insulation; Ultrastrong aerogels.