Dimensionally stable aerogels from cellulose mechanically treated to a moderate microfibrillar degree

Cotton was subjected to moderate treatment using combined grinding and freeze-thawing to transfer initial fibers into microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) form without preliminary chemical oxidation. The following freeze-drying of solutions of dispersed MFC resulted in cellulosic aerogels with low density (0.02-0.07 g cm(-3)) and sharply increased mechanical strength and dimensional stability both in dried and wet states.