PREPARATION STRATEGIES AND MULTIFUNCTIONAL APPLICATIONS OF CELLULOSE-BASED AEROGELS IN ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL FIELDS

Aerogel is a type of material with an expanded three-dimensional network structure, assembled by consistent polymer molecules. Organic aerogels have gained attention in recent years as environmentally friendly materials due to their high porosity, low density, and similar characteristics. With the increasing interest, bio-based aerogels are regarded as key materials for sustainable studies due to their renewable sources, and biocompatible structures. In this study, the synthesis methods of cellulose-based aerogels, the structural properties of the obtained materials, and their applications are discussed. In aerogel production, cellulosic materials are generally converted via the sol-gel method and various drying techniques are applied. The pore size and structures of the produced bio-based aerogels vary depending on the precursor, synthesis method, and drying technique. To increase their mechanical strength, crosslinkers and/or hybrid structures are used, and various modifications are made. The produced bio-based find a broad spectrum of applications. Those with low density can be used as supercapacitor materials. Additionally, they are recognized as efficient materials in absorption and adsorption. As a result, bio-based aerogels have a potential that can be evaluated for the development of sustainable material technologies. Thanks to their eco-friendly characteristics and advantageous properties, they hold great potential in various fields including energy storage, CO2 capture, and electromagnetic shielding. Future studies will focus on improving their properties and enabling industrial-scale production.