Development of a Bio-Inspired Aerogel with Robust Sustainability and Thermal Insulation Performance

The aim of this study was to develop a practical aerogel with robust sustainability and thermal insulation performance. Inspired by the muscular movement of creatures, this target was achieved by developing a tendon-like composite aerogel. The composite aerogel provided comprehensive reinforcement due to the comparable composition and compatibility, which made the robust sustainability and thermal insulation performance feasible. The results showed that the prepared aerogel exhibited the desired sustainability and thermal insulation performance, manifesting better abrasion resistance (increased by up to 12.3 times) and lower thermal conductivity (decreased by 25.9%) in contrast to the counterpart in the absence of the tendon. The adoption of the tendon-inspired design also ameliorated the physicochemical properties, including the higher specific surface area (2673.64 m²·g^-1), porosity (94.12%) and hydrophobic properties (138.1°). The robust sustainability and thermal insulation performance of the prepared aerogel, coupled with the better physicochemical properties, indicate the prospect of developing sophisticated aerogels for applications, particularly outdoor applications involving a rapid change of heat.