Paper-Based Aerogel Saves Energy, Absorbs Oil

Paper-Based Aerogel Saves Energy, Absorbs Oil
Feb-06-16
Researchers have created the world’s first cellulose aerogel, which is made from paper waste and requires less energy and less toxic chemicals to manufacture.

Created by a team from the National University of Singapore, the cellulose aerogel was made by mixing water with mulched paper, adding a cross-linking polymer resin, and then agitating the mixture using sonification. The mixture is then frozen, freeze-dried and cured to create strong, flexible and oil-absorbent material. When coated with Trimethoxy-methylsilane (MTMS), the material is able to resist water and absorb up to 90 times their dry weight in oil, which can then be wrung from the material to recover up to 99 percent of the absorbed oil.

Other applications for the cellulose aerogel include insulation for buildings, packaging materials, and wound-plugging bandages.

More Info about this Invention:

[GIZMAG.COM]
[NEWS.NUS.EDU]
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