CELLULOSE-BASED AEROGELS FOR HEAT INSULATION AND OIL SPILL CLEANING APPLICATIONS

Abstract

THE OVERALL GOALS OF THIS THESIS ARE TO ENHANCE THE UTILIZATION OF PAPER WASTE AND HELP MINIMIZE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ASSOCIATED WITH IT; AND CONVERTING THE PAPER WASTE INTO OTHER GREAT POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS SUCH AS 100% BIODEGRADABLE POROUS MATERIALS FOR HEAT INSULATION AND OIL SPILL CLEANING. THE THESIS HAS BEEN FOCUSED ON: (I) NEW AND ADVANCED BIODEGRADABLE CELLULOSE AEROGELS (LOW COST, SUPER-STRONG, FLEXIBLE, AND HIGH ABSORPTION CAPACITY) ARE DEVELOPED FROM PAPER WASTE; (II) SOLVING ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES (BIODEGRADABILITY, DISPOSABLE MEANS, STORAGE, AND FIRE HAZARDS) OF THE PAPER WASTE (SOLID WASTE AND LAND-FILLING COSTS); AND (III) DEVELOPED CELLULOSE AEROGELS CAN PLAY VARIETY OF ROLES IN MATERIALS SCIENCE SUCH AS FOR GREENER BUILDINGS (EFFECTIVE INSULATION, LIGHT WEIGHT, AND FIRE RETARDATION) AND FOR REPLACING EARTH-UNFRIENDLY POLYMER-BASED OIL SORBENTS DUE TO THEIR HIGH OIL ABSORPTION CAPACITIES.