Regenerated Cellulose Aerogel Fibers with Lightweight and Exceptional Mechanical Performance for Thermal Insulation
Zhiyu Huang, Binhao Wang, Zhicheng Shi, Sijie Qiao, Aixin Tong, Jiaxin Wang, Jun He, Annan He, Xiachao Chen, Peiying Hu, Wei Ke, Na Yao, Weilin Xu, Fengxiang Chen
Abstract
Abstract Recycling cellulose‐based waste textiles (CBWT) into high‐performance functional materials is a key challenge in sustainable green development strategies. Herein, a combination of water bath wet spinning and gradient solvent exchange methods is employed to develop a regenerated cellulose aerogel fiber (CAF) with excellent mechanical and thermal insulation properties. CAF fibers, with a core‐shell structure, exhibited an excellent mechanical property, with a tensile strength of 16.56 ± 1.48 MPa, a strain at break of 67.9% ± 10.37%, and toughness of 6.65 MJ m −3 in the absence of draft process. Furthermore, the CAF fabrics demonstrated outstanding thermal insulation performance (39.31 mW/m/K), with a temperature difference of 45 °C at 100 °C, significantly reducing heat transfer compared to conventional materials, exhibiting a great promise for use in heat‐resistant and cold‐weather clothing. Most importantly, the process of CBWT dissolution is significantly accelerated by preheating the ionic liquid (IL)/DMSO solution system, which will significantly improve the recycling efficiency and economic benefits of CBWT. This study provides a simple and effective method for fabricating a high‐performance regenerated cellulose aerogel fiber, aiming to promote the development of the textile recycling industry and the innovation of sustainable functional materials.