Aerocellulose Based on All-Cellulose Composites

Novel aerogels (or aerocellulose) based on all-cellulose composites were prepared by partially dissolving microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) in an 8 wt % LiCl/DMAc solution. During this process, large MCC crystals and fiber fragments were progressively split into thinner crystals and cellulose fibrils. The extent of the transformation was controlled by using cellulose concentrations ranging from 5 to 20 wt % in the LiCl/DMAc solution. Cellulose gels were precipitated and then processed by freeze-drying to maintain the openness of the structure. The density of aerocellulose increased with the initial cellulose concentration and ranged from 1.16 up to 350 kg m(-3). Aerocellulose with relatively high mechanical properties were successfully produced. The flexural strength of the materials reached 8.1 MPa and their stiffness was as high as 280 MPa. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 115: 216-221, 2010