Cellulose-based monoliths with enhanced surface area and porosity

This study reports on a strategy of using sol–gel and supercritical drying techniques to prepare aerocellulose monoliths with enhanced specific surface area and porosity by adding NaCl particles into the cellulose solution. The addition of 5 wt% of NaCl particles led to increased specific surface area of aerocellulose monoliths (from 114 m²/g to 205 m²/g), as well as their porosity (by ~5%). The aerocellulose monoliths prepared by adding NaCl particles achieved improved porous characteristics, lightweight, lower crystallinity, and better thermal stability, as compared to the control. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of NaCl particles to tune the surface area and the pore characteristics, which provides a facile route to achieve enhanced surface area and improved pore characteristics of aerocellulose monoliths.