Customizable structured cellulose aerogel fibers by regulating regeneration rate for enhanced thermal insulation

The development of biomass-derived aerogel fibers for thermal insulation via wet spinning requires precise structural control to optimize performance. This study aims to regulate the molecular assembly of cellulose nanounits to engineer regenerated cellulose aerogel fibers (RCAFs) with enhanced insulating properties while reducing energy consumption. By leveraging acid-coagulation baths with varying H + concentrations during wet spinning, we manipulated cellulose chain aggregation to tailor pore size distribution within RCAFs. The resulting fibers achieved ultra-low thermal conductivity (0.0242 W m −1  K −1 ) through pore structure optimization and suppression of heat transfer pathways. This work establishes a scalable strategy for structurally tuning biomass-based aerogel fibers, demonstrating their potential for energy-efficient textiles. Future research should focus on scaling production and expanding applications in multifunctional, sustainable materials.