One-pot synthesis of monolithic silica-cellulose aerogel applying a sustainable sodium silicate precursor

Cellulose aerogel is an advanced thermal insulating biomaterial. However, the application of cellulose in insulation still faces critical problems, for instance, relatively low strength and large pore size without Knudsen effect. In this study, a silica areogel made from olivine rather than traditional tetraethoxysilane or water glass employed to synthesize silica-cellulose composite applying facile one-pot synthesis method. The nanoparticles are formed inside nanofibrils by using sol-gel method freeze-drying. developed has obviosuly lowered conductivity significantly stronger compared plain aerogel. microstructure was characterized SEM, TGA, FTIR N2 physisorption tests. had bulk density 0.055 ~ 0.06 g/cm3, compressive 95.4 kPa, surface area 900 m2/g 0.023 W/(m·K). stability also improved showed higher decomposition temperature. Furthermore, modified trimethylchlorosilane making it hydrophobic, reaching contact angle 140°, enhancing its volumetric thermo-phycial when applied humid environment. conclusion, resulting green promising candidate utilization as high performance material.