Biomass-derived cellulose nanofibers and iron oxide-based nanohybrids for thermal insulation application. Issue 16 (25th July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sen, Sourav; Singh, Ajit; Kailasam, Kamalakannan; Bera, Chandan; Roy, Sangita
• Is Part Of: Nanoscale advances. Volume 4:Issue 16(2022)
• Page Start: 3381
• Page End: 3390
• Publication Date: 2022-07-25
• Subjects: 620.5
• DOI: 10.1039/d2na00010e
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2516-0230

Abstract

Abstract : This study reports the development of a nanohybrid aerogel from biomass-derived cellulose nanofibers and iron oxide, with high mechanical strength, fire retardant properties and low thermal conductivity as low as 0.024 W m −1 K −1 . Abstract : In recent years, due to high energy consumption in the building sector and subsequent environmental issues, environment-friendly and cost-effective thermally insulating materials are in high demand to improve the energy efficiency of buildings. Current commercially available thermal insulating materials (polystyrene) always pose a challenge due to their non-biodegradability and poor insulating performance. To this end, biomass-derived aerogels are attracting significant interest as renewable and sustainable insulating materials. In this work, we have developed a facile strategy for synthesizing cellulose nanofibers from biomass-derived wood pulp as a cost-effective starting material by TEMPO-oxidation, and further incorporating iron oxide nanoparticles to make a nanohybrid. Interestingly, in these nanohybrids, the functional attributes like mechanical strength and flammability were improved to a great extent and thus overcoming the limitations of the commercially available thermal insulating materials in terms of their stability and durability. Most importantly, these nanohybrids demonstrated very low thermal conductivity, as low as 0.024 W m −1 K −1, indicating the better insulating potential of these nanohybrids as compared to other conventional insulating materials.