Eco-friendly production and performance evaluation of water-resistant cellulose nanofiber bioaerogels

A sustainable and environmentally conscious approach was employed to create a cellulose nanofiber (CNF) bioaerogel. This modified technique was used for its affordability and eco-friendly nature, involved the use of reduced concentrations of NaOH solution (ranging from 0 to 0.5 M) to disperse the CNFs. The process included mixing, freezing, neutralizing, and freeze-drying, ultimately resulting in well-structured 3D bioaerogels. The concentration of NaOH had a significant impact on the properties of the bioaerogels. The density of the aerogels increases with higher concentration of NaOH. All treated aerogels exhibited impressive water resistance and maintained their structural integrity when exposed to water, indicating promising practical applications. This enhanced structural integrity is attributed to CNF chain rearrangement, facilitated by CNF swelling, dissolution in NaOH, and homogenization. FTIR and XRD analyses provided insight into the transition from cellulose I to cellulose-II in the bioaerogel structure. These findings contribute to the development of eco-friendly bioaerogels for environmentally conscious applications. Further research is needed to gain a deeper understanding of the process and to optimize conditions for specific bioaerogel properties.