Microfibrillated cellulose foams obtained by a straightforward freeze–thawing–drying procedure

摘要: Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) is continuously gaining attention due to its outstanding mechanical properties, in particular high strength-to-weight ratio. Recently, more and studies target the production of porous materials, such as foams, out this natural resource. Commonly, an energy-consuming freeze–drying method utilized for producing pure MFC structures from water-based suspensions, which renders these products particularly unattractive industry. Although alternatives foam have been proposed, using either modified or with various additives, step still one most critical bottle-neck upscaling. A novel straightforward freeze–thawing–drying procedure assisted by common additive urea was herein proposed. Such allows mechanically stable, lightweight under low-cost ambient conditions drying. The influence fibril characteristics, suspension formulation process parameters on final properties studied terms porosity, density properties.