VATIS UPDATE Article

Researchers from National University of Singapore (NUS), has developed the world’s first biodegradable cellulose-based aerogel made from paper-waste that features an exceptional ability to absorb oil. The material can absorb up to 4-times as much oil as the best existing commercial sorbents. This, combined with its non-toxic and biodegradable nature, makes the material an ideal candidate for oil spill cleaning. Capable of absorbing up to 90-times its dried weight, the novel aerogel can be squeezed and up to 99% of the absorbed oil recovered.

The aerogel, coated with Trimethoxy-methylsilane, is water repellent and therefore absorbs only oil. In addition to its environmentally friendly nature, the aerogel has been manufactured using an energy-saving method. The team believes that in addition to its oil-absorbing properties, the paper-based aerogel can find applications in many other sectors, for example, as an insulation material in the built environment or as a biodegradable packaging material, e.g. a replacement for plastic-based bubble wrap.

Further modifications can turn the aerogel into a smart coating material that can be used for drug deliveries or to stop bleeding. This is achieved by first infusing the aerogel with a solution of metallic nanoparticles. The cellulose aerogels are then hammered flat to remove most of the air, resulting in a magnetic thin film that has a weight capacity of over 28 tonnes per square centimetre. The team has filed a patent for their invention in the USA, China, India and Southeast Asia.