Fabrication of cellulose nanofiber/polypyrrole/polyvinylpyrrolidone aerogels with box-Behnken design for optimal electrical conductivity.

A sponge-like conductive aerogel has been fabricated comprising spherical nanoparticles of polypyrrole and jelly polyvinylpyrrolidone on the surface of cellulose nanofibrils defibrillated from water hyacinth fibres. Box-Behnken response surface methodology was used to optimize the aerogel's electrical conductivity for understanding its relationship with the synthesis conditions. Morphological and microstructural results showed that water hyacinth cellulose nanofibrils has a rough topography and an average height of 5 nm.