Abstract :
Ultra-light (1.7 to 8.1 mg cm3) and ultra-porous (99.5 to 99.9%) aerogels
have been assembled fromcellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) thatwere
defibrillated from rice straw cellulose at 96.8% yield. The as-prepared
aerogels, amphiphilic super-absorbents, absorbing 210 and 375 times
water and chloroform, respectively, are far superior to any previously
reported cellulose aerogel. Vapor deposition with triethoxyl(octyl)
silane turned the amphiphilic aerogel more hydrophobic and oleophilic,
capable of absorbing 139–356 times non-polar hydrocarbons,
polar aprotic solvents and oils, surpassing all previously reported
polymeric, cellulosic and carbonaceous aerogels by 2 to nearly 20
times. These aerogels are excellent amphiphilic super-absorbents for
selective oil removal and recovery.
Author/Authors :
Jiang, Feng , Hsieh, You-Lo
