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Structure and properties of monolithic cellulose aerogels prepared from oil palm cellulose microfiber (OPMFC) using alkaline/urea solvent system potentially for solar thermal applications

  • Original Paper: Nano- and macroporous materials (aerogels, xerogels, cryogels, etc.)
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Abstract

A biodegradable three-dimensional porous structure with thermal strength has drawn remarkable attention in solar thermal insulation. A strong hydrogen bonding caused the cellulose fibers to entangle and form a highly flexible and porous structure. In this study, monolithic aerogel was prepared from oil palm-based microfibril cellulose using an alkaline/urea solvent system and epichlorohydrin (ECH) as a cross-linker as a potential insulator for solar thermal energy application microfibril cellulose at various weight percentages (3%, 4%, and 5%) was dissolved in NaOH/urea/water and LiOH/urea/water solvent systems at 15 °C. The cellulosic solution was allowed to age for 24 h and subsequently gelled at 50 °C for 24 h to form a solid gel before washing. Following solvent exchange and subsequent freeze-drying, porous cellulose aerogel was produced. FESEM analysis reveals cellulose concentration influences the internal morphology of the aerogel, while thermal gravimetric analysis has recorded the aerogel to withstand thermal shock up to 266.8 °C. At 4% microfibril cellulose content, the monolithic aerogel exhibits a relatively homogenized pore with a honeycomb-like structure. It also demonstrated reasonably strong solar absorption capabilities within the NIR solar spectra region, confirming its potential for solar thermal extraction applications.

Graphical Abstract

Highlights

  • An environmentally conscious approach with utilization of oil palm cellulose microfiber producing exceptional structural and thermal properties of aerogel.

  • Monolithic cellulose-based aerogels’ entangled and highly flexible structure fosters a cohesive and porous network for enhanced thermal performance.

  • A remarkable three-dimensional porous structure with thermal strength, demonstrating an exceptional solar absorption capability within the near-infrared region, providing significant potential for efficient solar thermal energy applications.

  • The durability test confirms consistent near-infrared absorption over the aging process.

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Acknowledgements

The authors also thank the Research Laboratory staff of the University of Technology MARA, Bukit Besi Campus, for assisting with the laboratory work.

Funding

Funding from the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS/1/2019/TK10/UKM/02/1) by the Ministry of Higher Education of Malaysia is gratefully acknowledged for the completion of our original work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Solar Energy Research Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Malaysia

    Marshahida Mat Yashim, Masita Mohammad, Nilofar Asim & Ahmad Fudholi

  2. School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 23200, Dungun, Terengganu, Malaysia

    Marshahida Mat Yashim

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Contributions

MMY: Methodology, Investigation, Characterization, Formal analysis, Writing—original draft. MM: Conceptualization, Visualization, Writing—review & editing NA: Data curation, Validation, Writing—review & editing. AF: Funding acquisition, Project administration.

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Correspondence to Masita Mohammad.

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Mat Yashim, M., Mohammad, M., Asim, N. et al. Structure and properties of monolithic cellulose aerogels prepared from oil palm cellulose microfiber (OPMFC) using alkaline/urea solvent system potentially for solar thermal applications. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 108, 47–59 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-023-06189-5

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