Bacterial cellulose aerogels: Influence of oxidation and silanization on mechanical and absorption properties

Biodegradable aerogels may help to develop eco-friendly technological pathways to increase the efficiency of chemical processes. In the present work, we describe the preparation of a novel bacterial cellulose aerogel oxidized by TEMPO, nanofibrillated in a blender, and silanized with methyltrimethoxysilane, resulting in four different types of aerogel. The aerogels produced from the double-functionalized cellulose suspension (BC_OXNS) were compared to other non-oxidized (BC_N and BC_NS) and non-silanized (BC_OXN) aerogels All aerogels were very light (density 10-14 kg.m^-3) and very porous (porosity >99 %). The aerogels of BC_OXNS showed better mechanical properties (tension of 13.0 kPa, modulus of elasticity of 39.4 kPa) and hydrophobicity, and could absorb organic solvents of different polarities. The BC_OXNS could be recycled at least 7 times after absorbing organic solvents while retaining an absorption capacity of 83 %. This material can be used as a standard for the further development of aerogels based on bacterial biopolymers.