Ultralight nanocomposite aerogels with interpenetrating network structure of bacterial cellulose for oil absorption

Towards the development of novel platforms for oil absorption and environmental remediation, bacterial cellulose aerogels (BCA), a lightweight and highly porous material, were modified with carbon nanotubes (CNT) and carboxylic carbon nanotubes (CCNT), respectively, at both 5 and 10 wt % loading. The resulting nanocomposite materials, termed BCA/CNT and BCA/CCNT, demonstrated improved oil absorption property when tested against liquid paraffin (glycerol), vacuum oil, plant oil, and propanetriol. After a single immersion lasting about 4-119 seconds, BCA/CNT 10% absorbed an average of 120.23 (standard deviation: 1.145) g center dot g(-1) of propanetriol. While BCA is known to be fragile, but no destruction was observed before and after oil absorption. The difference between CNT and CCNT is carboxylation, which could reduce hydrophilicity. The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FTIR), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, contact angle test, and mechanical test. (c) 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 48000.