ORGANIC-INORGANIC AEROGEL COMPOSITES， METHODS AND USES THEREOF

Disclosed are methods of synthesizing organic-inorganic aerogel composites. The method comprises the steps of providing a cellulose component， derived from a plant based material， dispersed in an aqueous medium， adding a water soluble binder and a water soluble polymer to the aqueous medium to form a first mixture， forming a silica component， which is derived from a plant based silicate material， in situ when contacted with the first mixture for a predetermined time and condition to form a second mixture， gelling the second mixture and drying the second mixture to form an organic - inorganic aerogel. Also disclosed are organic-inorganic aerogel composites and their uses thereof. In particular， the organic-inorganic aerogel composites may have applications in thermal insulations， acoustic insulations and/or oil absorption. Disclosed are methods of synthesizing organic-inorganic aerogel composites. The method comprises the steps of providing a cellulose component， derived from a plant based material， dispersed in an aqueous medium， adding a water soluble binder and a water soluble polymer to the aqueous medium to form a first mixture， forming a silica component， which is derived from a plant based silicate material， in situ when contacted with the first mixture for a predetermined time and condition to form a second mixture， gelling the second mixture and drying the second mixture to form an organic - inorganic aerogel. Also disclosed are organic-inorganic aerogel composites and their uses thereof. In particular， the organic-inorganic aerogel composites may have applications in thermal insulations， acoustic insulations and/or oil absorption.