Core-shell design for nanocellulosic aerogels by bioinspired spider web-like structure

Inspired by the ultra-lightweight and strong cross-linked spider web, a core-shell design is proposed for fabri-cating isotropic polymethylsilsesquioxane (PMSQ) rigid-reinforced nanofibers (polypyrrole-coated bacterial cellulose (PPy@BC) and bacterial cellulose (BC)) aerogels via non-directional freeze-drying. As-developed aer-ogels (PMPBB aerogels) exhibit isotropic properties of compressibility and recoverability, hydrophobicity, low thermal conductivity, and electric conductivity. Benefiting from above characteristics, PMPBB aerogels possess remarkable capacities of oil/organic solvent-water separation, self-cleaning, thermal insulation, and real-time monitoring of human motion signals. The combination of core-shell design with non-directional freeze-drying method offers a valuable reference for seeking innovative methods to develop other advanced aerogels.

Automated summary

This study proposes a core-shell design for fabricating isotropic aerogels with desirable properties. The as-developed aerogels exhibit compressibility and recoverability, hydrophobicity, low thermal conductivity, and electric conductivity. These aerogels also show remarkable capacities of oil/organic solvent-water separation, self-cleaning, thermal insulation, and real-time monitoring of human motion signals. The combination of core-shell design with non-directional freeze-drying method provides a valuable reference for developing other advanced aerogels.