Fabrication of cellulose nanofiber/polypyrrole/polyvinylpyrrolidone aerogels with box-Behnken design for optimal electrical conductivity

[Display omitted] •A sponge-like electrically conductive nanocellulose aerogel was fabricated.•Water hyacinth was defibrillated into 5 nm rough topography CNFs.•Optimal electrical performance of CNF/PPy aerogels was improved with PVP.•This sequence improves the growth of conductive nanoparticles within the surface of CNFs. A sponge-like conductive aerogel has been fabricated comprising spherical nanoparticles of polypyrrole and jelly polyvinylpyrrolidone on the surface of cellulose nanofibrils defibrillated from water hyacinth fibres. Box-Behnken response surface methodology was used to optimize the aerogel's electrical conductivity for understanding its relationship with the synthesis conditions. Morphological and microstructural results showed that water hyacinth cellulose nanofibrils has a rough topography and an average height of 5 nm. The chemical structure of the aerogels was studied using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy and the electrochemical measurement showed conductivity results ranging from 0.1 to 6.23 S/cm. The structure of the present aerogel and its range of electrical conductivity suggests its applicability in microelectronics, solar cells and batteries where weight is a great concern.