Cellulose-based aerogels from sugarcane bagasse for oil spill-cleaning and heat insulation applications

• Published in: Carbohydrate polymers Vol. 228; p. 115365
• Main Authors: Thai, Quoc Ba, Nguyen, Son Truong, Ho, Duong Khanh, Tran, Tuan Du, Huynh, Dat Minh, Do, Nga H.N., Luu, Thao Phuong, Le, Phung K., Le, Duyen K., Phan-Thien, Nhan, Duong, Hai M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 15.01.2020
• Subjects: absorption; aerogels; biodegradability; coatings; freeze drying; heat; Heat insulation; hydrophobicity; insulating materials; marine ecosystems; modulus of elasticity; Oil spill-cleaning; oils; polyvinyl alcohol; porosity; sugar industry; sugarcane bagasse; Sugarcane bagasse aerogel; thermal conductivity; Thermal insulation; Oil spill-cleaning; Heat insulation; Sugarcane bagasse aerogel; Thermal insulation
• ISSN: 0144-8617; 1879-1344; 1879-1344
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2019.115365

[Display omitted] •A green and cost-effective method to convert sugarcane bagasse into aerogel has been developed.•Sugarcane bagasse aerogel is a promising candidate for heat insulation applications.•Sugarcane bagasse aerogel is a promising candidate for oil-spill cleaning applications.•Sugarcane bagasse aerogel is highly flexible, and can be bent without breaking. A promising and economic material for various applications, such as thermal insulation in construction building and oil clean-up in marine ecosystems, is successfully developed from the by-product of the sugarcane industry. Biodegradable sugarcane bagasse aerogels are produced using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) binder, followed by a freeze-drying method. This environmental-friendly recycled aerogel has an ultra-low density ([0.016-0.112] g/cm3), a high porosity ([91.9–98.9]%), and a very low thermal conductivity ([0.031-0.042] W/mK). Its superhydrophobicity properties and its maximum oil absorption capacity (up to 25 g/g) are measured after coating aerogel samples with methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS). The biodegradable aerogel has a Young's modulus of 88 K Pa and can be bent without breaking, demonstrating its high flexibility.