Cellulose Nanomaterials and Aerogels for Thermal Insulation and Packaging
This research community develops cellulose-based nanomaterials and aerogel composites, primarily for thermal insulation, sustainable food packaging, and structural reinforcement.
The work centers on the extraction and modification of cellulose nanocrystals, nanofibers, and bacterial cellulose, often derived from agricultural waste like sugarcane bagasse. These biopolymers are frequently combined with silica or other inorganic materials to form aerogels and composite films. Key processing methods include acid hydrolysis, sol-gel synthesis, and ambient pressure drying. The resulting materials are engineered for specific properties such as low thermal conductivity, high mechanical strength, and biodegradability, with applications ranging from building glazing and industrial insulation to drug delivery systems and flexible energy storage devices.
The community’s output is most concentrated in research tracking Silicon, where it represents 0.2% of all silicon-related papers, followed by Carbon and Sodium, each accounting for 0.2% and 0.1% of their respective element research. Silicon also contributes the highest raw paper count to this group, with 919 papers.
The community comprises 7,616 papers, publishing most frequently in Cellulose, Carbohydrate Polymers, and the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules.
Recent work continues to focus on optimizing the thermal conductivity of nanoporous aerogels, developing chlorine-free biomass pretreatments for nanocellulose synthesis, and creating carboxymethyl cellulose films for sustainable food packaging.