Wood-based oxidized cellulose microtube hydrophobic thermal insulation foam

The carbon dioxide emissions caused by heat transfer have become one of the largest sources of carbon dioxide emissions. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions caused by heat conduction have become an urgent problem to be solved. In this paper, we are committed to the preparation and evaluation of the properties of the wood-based oxidized cellulose microtube thermal insulation foam materials inspired by natural microtubule insulation structure. The oxidized cellulose microtube can be uniformly dispersed in water due to the introduction of active carboxyl functional groups. The introduction of active carboxyl functional groups can improve the flexibility and dispersibility of the oxidized cellulose microtubules in water. The oxidized cellulose microtube (HOCM-X) foam can be prepared through strong electrostatic force between Ca2⁺and carboxylic acid groups and MTMS surface hydrophobic treatment. The property of the wood-based oxidized cellulose microtube thermal insulation foam materials can be effectively tuned by the concentration of the oxidized cellulose microtubule. The water contact angle of the HOCM-X foam was about 135°. As the oxidized cellulose microtubules content increases, the mechanical strength of the HOCM-X foam gradually increases. The HOCM-2.5 foam exhibits the best thermal insulation properties with the thermal conductivity as low as 47 mW·m⁻¹·k⁻¹.