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Editorial on Special Issues "Aerogels" and "Aerogels 2018"
Françoise Quignard1, Nathalie Tanchoux1
1ICGM, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, 34296 Montpellier, France.
Gels (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 3, 2020
Summary
Aerogels are ultralight, 3D porous materials derived from wet gels. Specialized drying techniques prevent structural collapse, preserving the porous network for advanced applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Aerogels are ultralight, nanoporous materials derived from wet gels.
- Their defining characteristic is a 3D solid network structure with high porosity.
- Gas replacement of the liquid phase is achieved through specialized drying methods like supercritical CO2 drying or freeze-drying.
Discussion:
- The drying process is critical to prevent the collapse of the gel structure.
- Supercritical CO2 drying and freeze-drying are key techniques enabling aerogel formation.
- The resulting materials possess unique properties due to their high surface area and low density.
Key Insights:
- Aerogels maintain the intricate 3D porous structure of their parent gels.
- The choice of drying method directly impacts the final aerogel properties.
- Ultralight, highly porous materials can be synthesized through controlled solvent removal.
Outlook:
- Exploring novel applications for aerogels in insulation, catalysis, and energy storage.
- Developing scalable and cost-effective manufacturing processes for aerogels.
- Further research into tailoring aerogel properties for specific high-performance uses.
