Robust Silica-Cellulose Composite Aerogels with a Nanoscale Interpenetrating Network Structure Prepared Using a Streamlined Process

Sai, Huazheng; Zhang, Jing; Jin, Zhiqiang; Fu, Rui; Wang, Meijuan; Wang, Yutong; Wang, Yaxiong; Ma, Litong

doi:10.3390/polym12040807

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Robust Silica-Cellulose Composite Aerogels with a Nanoscale Interpenetrating Network Structure Prepared Using a Streamlined Process

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School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University of Science & Technology, Baotou 014010, China

Inner Mongolia Engineering Research Center of Comprehensive Utilization of Bio-coal Chemical Industry, Baotou 014010, China

Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Coal Chemical Engineering & Comprehensive Utilization, Baotou 014010, China

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Polymers 2020, 12(4), 807; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12040807

Received: 8 February 2020 / Revised: 19 March 2020 / Accepted: 23 March 2020 / Published: 3 April 2020

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocellulose-Reinforced Composites: Challenges and Opportunities)

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Abstract

Silica aerogels can be strengthened by forming a nanoscale interpenetrating network (IPN) comprising a silica gel skeleton and a cellulose nanofiber network. Previous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of this method for improving the mechanical properties and drying of aerogels. However, the preparation process is generally tedious and time-consuming. This study aims to streamline the preparation process of these composite aerogels. Silica alcosols were directly diffused into cellulose wet gels with loose, web-like microstructures, and an IPN structure was gradually formed by regulating the gelation rate. Supercritical CO₂ drying followed to obtain composite aerogels. The mechanical properties were further enhanced by a simple secondary regulation process that increased the quantity of bacterial cellulose (BC) nanofibers per unit volume of the matrix. This led to the production of aerogels with excellent bendability and a high tensile strength. A maximum breaking stress and tensile modulus of 3.06 MPa and 46.07 MPa, respectively, were achieved. This method can be implemented to produce robust and bendable silica-based composite aerogels (CAs). View Full-Text

Keywords: silica aerogels; bacterial cellulose; nanocomposites; interpenetrating network; bendable; mechanical properties

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MDPI and ACS Style

Sai, H.; Zhang, J.; Jin, Z.; Fu, R.; Wang, M.; Wang, Y.; Wang, Y.; Ma, L. Robust Silica-Cellulose Composite Aerogels with a Nanoscale Interpenetrating Network Structure Prepared Using a Streamlined Process. Polymers 2020, 12, 807. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12040807

AMA Style

Sai H, Zhang J, Jin Z, Fu R, Wang M, Wang Y, Wang Y, Ma L. Robust Silica-Cellulose Composite Aerogels with a Nanoscale Interpenetrating Network Structure Prepared Using a Streamlined Process. Polymers. 2020; 12(4):807. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12040807

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sai, Huazheng, Jing Zhang, Zhiqiang Jin, Rui Fu, Meijuan Wang, Yutong Wang, Yaxiong Wang, and Litong Ma. 2020. "Robust Silica-Cellulose Composite Aerogels with a Nanoscale Interpenetrating Network Structure Prepared Using a Streamlined Process" Polymers 12, no. 4: 807. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12040807

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Robust Silica-Cellulose Composite Aerogels with a Nanoscale Interpenetrating Network Structure Prepared Using a Streamlined Process

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