Biotemplating of a Highly Porous Cellulose–Silica Composite from Apium graveolens by a Low-Toxicity Sol–Gel Technique

A sol–gel biotemplating technique for the creation of a cellulose–silica composite from Apium graveolens (Pascal celery) has been investigated. The was inspired by pH catalyzed methods used hydrogels. This did not require use highly toxic chemicals or an elevated temperature, and therefore is more environmentally friendly than existing techniques. resulting composites were geometrically similar to templated live celery, demonstrating permeability under gas flow at pressure, elastic modulus ultimate compressive strength (UCS) increased 15.05 × 104% 3880%, respectively, when compared celery. lack dramatic increase in UCS provide low-toxicity alternative harness complex multiscale structure porosity organic tissues bioinspired materials.