Highly Porous Particles of Cellulose Derivatives for Advanced Applications

A chemical modification of cellulose diacetate by phthalate and nitrate was performed to increase solubility in organic solvents and change the electrical properties. The role of substituents on the conductivity, permittivity, and polarizability of cellulose films is revealed. It has been shown that highly porous micro particles can be obtained from cellulose derivatives by a simple and technological freeze‐drying method. The resulting micro sized aerogels have a predominantly spherical morphology and amorphous structure. Suspensions of porous particles of nitro‐ and phthalylated cellulose derivatives in silicone oil have an increased dielectric permittivity compared to cellulose diacetate particles. Produced particles are novel promising material with tunable electrical properties for advanced applications in composites, including for electrorheological fluids. A chemical modification of cellulose diacetate was performed, as a result nitro and phthalylated derivatives were produced. Highly porous micro aerogels of various cellulose derivatives were obtained from a solution via a simple freeze‐drying method. Modification of cellulose alters the electrical properties of porous micro particles. Obtained particles are promising as filler for electrorheological fluids and biomedical applications.