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 (BCOXNS) were compared to other non-oxidized (BCN and BCNS) and non-silanized (BCOXN) aerogels All aerogels were very light (density 10-14 kg.m-3) and very porous (porosity >99 %). The aerogels of BCOXNS 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 BCOXNS 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.