Thermally insulating and electroactive cellular nanocellulose composite cryogels from hybrid nanofiber networks

Cellulose-based xerogels, cryogels and aerogels have been proposed to deliver the functions required by next-generation wearable electronics and energy materials. However, such systems often lack functionality and present limited mechanical resilience. Herein, we introduce a simple strategy to synthesize high-performance cryogels that combine cellulose and silica nanofibers that form ice-templated cellular architectures. Specifically, dual networks are produced by incorporating organic (cellulose) and inorganic (silica) nanofibers to form highly interconnected and vertically-aligned channels. Hence, ultralight structures (7.37 mg cm−3 in density and porosity of 99.37%) are produced with high mechanical strength, compressibility (dimensional recovery of up to 90%) and fatigue resistance (1000 loading cycles) along with low thermal conductivity (29.65 mW m−1K−1). Electrical responsiveness is supplemented by in situ polymerization of pyrrole, ensuing operation in a wide load range (0–18 kPa with sensitivity of 6.63 kPa−1 during > 1000 cycles). The obtained thermal insulating and electroactive materials are demonstrated for operation under extreme conditions (solvent and temperature). Overall, our dual network system provides a universal, multifunctional platform that can substitute state-of-the-art carbonized or carbon-based light-weight materials.

Description

| openaire: EC/H2020/788489/EU//BioELCell

Keywords

Cellulose nanofiber, Cryogels, Electroactive materials, Sensors, Superelasticity, Thermal insulator

DOI

10.1016/j.cej.2022.140638

Citation

Hu , Y , Cao , M , Xu , J , Liu , X , Lu , J , Yan , J , Huan , S , Han , G , Bai , L , Cheng , W & Rojas , O J 2023 , ' Thermally insulating and electroactive cellular nanocellulose composite cryogels from hybrid nanofiber networks ' , Chemical Engineering Journal , vol. 455 , 140638 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2022.140638

Permanent link to this item

https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-202212227227

Collections

[article-cris] Kemian tekniikan korkeakoulu / CHEM

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