Aerogel of nitrate glycerol ether cellulose based on phase separation in acetone/ethanol mixed solvents system

Nitrate glycerol ether cellulose (NGEC) alcogels are formed in the ternary NGEC/acetone/ethanol system. NGEC aerogels are prepared from NGEC alcogels after solvent exchange and drying under supercritical CO₂ (scCO₂). The aerogels are prepared with various densities and porosities, relating directly to the initial ethanol content. NGEC aerogels had surface areas of up to 183 m² g^-1 and large mesopore volumes with a combination of large macropore volumes and a wide range of mesopore sizes. The aerogels with larger pore size distribution range, average pore diameter, and mesopore and macropore volume were obtained from system with higher ethanol content. The aerogels were further characterized by X-ray diffraction, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis, electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The results showed that the NGEC aerogels clearly retained the crystalline structure from NGEC. Compared with NGEC powders, the thermal decomposition of NGEC aerogel is accelerated and this process becomes more acute.