Dual-Network Thermal-Insulating and Flame-Retardant Cellulose Aerogel Fabricated via Ambient Pressure Drying

Cellulose aerogel is a promising thermal insulation material with terrific thermal insulation and environmental friendliness. However, the intrinsic flammability of polysaccharide molecules and dependence on freeze-drying have limited its application in flame-retardant and thermal management systems. Here, we develop a flame-retardant biomass aerogel based on a dual-network matrix of bacterial cellulose and sodium alginate. This innovative material enables high-efficiency and low-cost preparation via ambient pressure drying technology (only ~3.5% volume shrinkage), while achieving flame retardancy by introducing an inorganic nanosheet microstructure within a polymer matrix. The resulting dual-network flame-retardant cellulose aerogel demonstrates thermal performance superior to that of most polymer foams and conventional cellulose aerogels, featuring an ultra-low thermal conductivity of ~0.04 W m^-1 K^-1 and a high limiting oxygen index (LOI) of ~69%. This research provides a novel strategy for simultaneous flame-retardant modification and energy-efficient manufacturing of biomass-derived aerogels.