<p>Plastic foams play a crucial role across various industries and building constructions, due to their lightweight structure, thermal insulation properties, and energy absorption capabilities. However, the escalating global demand for petrochemical-based foams is raising significant environmental concerns. Here, we report an all-cellulose molecular foam through an ethanol-induced cellulose molecular programmed assembly. This cellulose molecular foam features a honeycomb-like gradient porous structure, exhibits a high compressive modulus of 11.8 MPa, demonstrates a high thermal stability up to 264.1 °C, and maintains a&#xa0;low thermal conductivity of 0.047 W m<sup>−1</sup> K<sup>−1</sup>. Additionally, it supports diverse shaping processes including casting, molding, and continuous manufacturing. Due to its molecular-level reversible design, all-cellulose foam is both recyclable and biodegradable, offering a potential substitute for conventional petrochemical foams in numerous building and industrial applications. Furthermore, a life cycle assessment reveals that all-cellulose foam significantly reduces carbon emissions, affirming its environmental benefits and positioning it as a promising, eco-friendly alternative.</p>

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A gradient-structured all-cellulose biofoam enabled by solvent-induced molecular assembly for sustainable insulation modules

  • Suqing Zeng,
  • Zhihan Tong,
  • Xiaona Li,
  • Hongcai Lu,
  • Hongying Tang,
  • Yaxu Sun,
  • Dawei Zhao,
  • Guihua Yu,
  • Haipeng Yu

摘要

Plastic foams play a crucial role across various industries and building constructions, due to their lightweight structure, thermal insulation properties, and energy absorption capabilities. However, the escalating global demand for petrochemical-based foams is raising significant environmental concerns. Here, we report an all-cellulose molecular foam through an ethanol-induced cellulose molecular programmed assembly. This cellulose molecular foam features a honeycomb-like gradient porous structure, exhibits a high compressive modulus of 11.8 MPa, demonstrates a high thermal stability up to 264.1 °C, and maintains a low thermal conductivity of 0.047 W m−1 K−1. Additionally, it supports diverse shaping processes including casting, molding, and continuous manufacturing. Due to its molecular-level reversible design, all-cellulose foam is both recyclable and biodegradable, offering a potential substitute for conventional petrochemical foams in numerous building and industrial applications. Furthermore, a life cycle assessment reveals that all-cellulose foam significantly reduces carbon emissions, affirming its environmental benefits and positioning it as a promising, eco-friendly alternative.