Simultaneously enhanced the sound absorption coefficient and dimensional stability of Carboxymethyl cellulose/clay aerogel by impregnating polyurethane

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Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) aerogel could be used in the manufacture of highly efficient sound-absorbing materials because of its low density and sustainability. However, owing to its low mechanical strength and brittleness, preparing porous sound absorption materials with excellent sound absorption performance has always been a challenging problem. Herein, carboxymethyl cellulose/organic exfoliation of montmorillonite/thermoplastic polyurethane (CMC/OMMT/TPU) composite aerogels were successfully obtained via a simple impregnation and freeze-drying process. The effect of TPU and OMMT on the sound absorption properties of cellulose aerogels was detailedly discussed. The results revealed that the CMC/OMMT/TPU composite aerogel had hierarchically porous structures, and the sound absorption performance was significantly improved. The average sound absorption coefficient of CMC/OMMT/TPU composite aerogel could reach as high as 0.807 (500–6500 Hz). The main reason for this improvement is caused by the multiple scattering of sound waves on the arranged porous surface, as well as the viscous damping of the air inside the structure between the TPU, CMC and OMMT. Furthermore, the dimensional stability of the prepared aerogel is also greatly enhanced after using TPU. This work provides a new approach for the development of aerogel with stable morphology and sound absorption performance, which would be widely used in construction and military fields.