Ultralight and hydrophobic nanofibrillated cellulose aerogels from coconut shell with ultrastrong adsorption properties

• DOI: 10.1002/app.42037
• Publication Date: 2015-02-26T09:19:48Z
• Authors: Caichao Wan; Yun Lu; Yue Jiao; Chunde Jin; Qingfeng Sun; Jian Li
• Keywords: Nanocellulose; Thermal Stability; Specific surface area

ABSTRACT Ultralight aerogels based on nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) isolated from coconut shell were successfully prepared via a mild fast method, which included chemical pretreatment, ultrasonic isolation, solvent exchange, and tert ‐butanol freeze drying. The as‐prepared NFC with complex three‐dimensional fibrillar networks had low bulk density of 0.84 mg/cm 3 (specific surface area = 9.1 m 2 /g pore volume 0.025 cm /g), maintained I crystal structure, showed more superior thermal stability than the raw materials. After hydrophobic modification by methyl trichlorosilane (MTCS), exhibited high water repellency properties, an ultrastrong oil‐adsorption capacity (542 times that original dry weight diesel oil), oil–water separation performance. Moreover, absorption capabilities MTCS‐treated as 296−669 their own weights for various organic solvents oil. Thus, this class high‐performance adsorbing materials might be useful dealing leaks oil spills. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. , 132 42037.