Flexible and Transparent Cellulose Aerogels with Uniform Nanoporous Structure by a Controlled Regeneration Process

Monolithic cellulose aerogels were prepared via a dissolution–regeneration route by dissolving cellulose in 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (AMIMCl). Using a high concentration aqueous AMIMCl solution as the regeneration bath endowed cellulose aerogels with high flexibility and transparency. Possessing homogeneous nanoscale porous morphology, the strong cellulose aerogels have excellent compressive properties, low densities, and low thermal conductivities.