Aerogels as Next-generation Materials for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Applications: A Comprehensive Review

Aerogels are ultralight materials characterized by highly porous structures and adaptable physicochemical properties, which have gained increasing attention in pharmaceutical and biomedical research. Their interconnected porous networks, extensive surface areas, and adjustable compositions render them particularly suitable for the incorporation and transport of therapeutic agents, biomolecules, and living cells into the body. This review presents an overview of the major methods of synthesizing the material, classification of aerogel types, and their applications, particularly in the biomedical field, including drug delivery, wound healing, and regenerative medicine. Different methods for preparing aerogels, such as the sol-gel technique, supercritical drying, and recently developed environmentally safe approaches, are discussed, with particular emphasis on their influence on the mechanical characteristics, biodegradability, and biocompatibility of these materials. Various types of aerogel materials, such as biopolymers, silica, carbon, graphene, and hybrid-based aerogels, are examined, with emphasis on their respective advantages and limitations in biomedical applications. The comparisons between materials are discussed to illustrate the impact of the structural properties of the material on drug delivery. Furthermore, recent patents are discussed, highlighting recent technological developments, particularly in aerogel-based biomedical technologies. This review aims to integrate the structural, functional, and biomedical significance of these materials, highlighting the relationships among their composition, structure, and functionality. This review highlights the potential of this material, especially the more recent environmentally friendly methods, emphasizing its potential as a next-generation material for drug delivery, wound healing, regenerative medicine, and various emerging biomedical technologies.