CELL 20 |
| Cellulose dissolved in alkali-urea solvent (typically 4.2% LiOH+12% urea) can coagulate on contact with alcohol or acidic solutions to form highly swollen cellulose gel. Via proper solvent exchange, this gel can be converted to organogel containing arbitrary liquid, or further to aerogels with large surface area (400~500 m2/g) through proper drying. These gels/aerogels can be used as reaction media for metal nanoparticle synthesis, or as scaffold for preparing nanocomposites with synthetic polymers. Presented examples include cellulose gel/aerogel carrying noble metal nanoparticles formed in situ, and nanocomposites with polystyrene, chloroprene, or polyimide. These organic and inorganic composites of cellulose may find utility as structural components, adsorbents, catalyst supports, electronic materials, or carbon precursors. |
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Structure and Properties of Cellulosic Polymers, Assemblies, and Nanocomposites
1:00 PM-4:45 PM, Sunday, April 6, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Rm. R07, Oral
Division of Cellulose & Renewable Materials |