FTIR, TGA/DSC, BET, and WCA analyses of materials, as well as effects of parameters on isolating cellulose fibers from reed

This study focused on fabricating a cellulose aerogel for oil spill
cleanup, using common reed (Phragmites australis) as the cellulose source.
The process involved isolating cellulose from reed via traditional Kraft
pulping, considering the effects of key factors on the isolated cellulose
content. After a two-stage HP bleaching sequence, the highest cellulose
content achieved was 27.2%, with 80% ISO brightness and 1% ash content
under mild Kraft pulping conditions of 30% sulfidity, 20% active alkali,
sustained cooking at 165°C for 3 hours, and a liquor-to-reed ratio of 8:1.
Subsequently, reed-based cellulose aerogel was fabricated via a
freeze-drying method using an eco-friendly NaOH/PEG aqueous solvent
system, which was then modified with methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS). The
resulting aerogel exhibited remarkable characteristics, including a low
density of 0.04 g/cm³, high porosity of 96%, high hydrophobicity with a
water contact angle (WAC) of 141°, and a superior crude oil adsorption
capacity of 35 g/g. Comprehensive characterizations of the fabricated
materials, including SEM, FTIR, TGA/DSC, and WAC measurements, were
evaluated. This interdisciplinary study explores the commercial promise of
reed-based cellulose aerogel as a sustainable solution for oil spill
cleanup efforts.