Cellulose–Starch Composite Aerogels as Thermal Superinsulating Materials

Authors

Safoura Ahmadzadeh, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow
Angelina Sagardui, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow
David Huitink, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow
Jingyi Chen, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow
Ali Ubeyitogullari, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-2024

Keywords

MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE; ADSORPTION; DISSOLUTION; FOAMS

Abstract

The demand for sustainable packaging materials is rapidly increasing due to growing environmental concerns over the impact of plastic waste. In this study, biodegradable, porous, lightweight, and high-surface-area microcrystalline cellulose–starch (MCC-S) hybrid aerogels were synthesized via supercritical carbon dioxide (SC–CO₂) drying. The samples were generated using five different MCC-S weight ratios and characterized for their morphology, crystallinity, and structural and thermal properties. When MCC and S were used together, aerogels with superior properties were obtained compared to those made from each component individually. Specifically, the 1:2 MCC-S aerogel exhibited the highest porosity (97%), the lowest density (0.058 g/cm³), and the lowest thermal conductivity (0.012 W/(m·K)) along with a high specific surface area (258 m²/g). Therefore, MCC-S aerogels are promising insulators for advanced packaging applications, potentially serving as a sustainable alternative to Styrofoam.

Citation

Ahmadzadeh, S., Sagardui, A., Huitink, D., Chen, J., & Ubeyitogullari, A. (2024). Cellulose–Starch Composite Aerogels as Thermal Superinsulating Materials. ACS Omega, 9 (50), 49305-49213. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.4c05840

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.