Development of cellulose based aerogel utilizing waste denim-A morphology study

Cellulose aerogels with orientated micron-sized pore structure were obtained from denim waste utilizing ionic liquid solvents through dissolution, regeneration and drying. The pore structure of denim-derived aerogels was comprised of a mixture of micron-sized vertically aligned pores and a nanoporous fibrous network. The size and distribution of vertically aligned pores and the nanopores were influenced by the choice of ionic liquid solvent, amount of denim used and drying method employed. A detailed study on the morphology of the cellulose aerogels produced from waste denim is provided.