cellulose acetate, xerogel, cryogel, freeze-drying

Low density carbonaceous materials based on biosources were prepared from cellulose acetate with a catalyst and a crosslinking agent. Standard preparation of these materials included dissolution, gelation and subsequent drying. In this study, cellulose acetate xerogels or cryogels were prepared, and the influence of the different drying techniques applied was investigated. The internal surface area of cellulose xerogels and cryogels varied from 700 to 850 m2 g-1, the volume of pores was 0.3 ml g-1. Other properties such as thermal decomposition or surface chemistry were gained and both materials were analysed by adsorption experiments of selected heavy metal and organic dye from aqueous phase.