Advanced Aerogels: From Design to Application

A special issue of Gels (ISSN 2310-2861). This special issue belongs to the section "Gel Processing and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2024 | Viewed by 1085

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Castilla–La Mancha, Avda. Camilo José Cela 12, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
Interests: thermochemical processes; aerogel; phase change materials; catalyst

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Aerogels are a class of highly porous materials with unique properties such as low density, high surface area, and high thermal insulation. These materials have gained significant attention in various fields including energy storage, environmental remediation, and aerospace due to their exceptional properties. In recent years, significant advances have been made in the design and application of aerogels, leading to the development of advanced aerogel materials with enhanced properties and functionalities.

Another important aspect of advancing aerogel technology is the development of novel composite materials that combine aerogels with other functional materials to create materials with enhanced properties. For example, aerogel composites with carbon nanotubes have been shown to exhibit superior mechanical strength and conductivity, making them ideal for applications in structural materials and electronics. Overall, the advancements in aerogel technology have opened up new possibilities for the design and application of these unique materials.

This Special Issue, entitled “Advanced Aerogels: From Design to Application”, aims to highlight recent advances in research on aerogel materials. We welcome submissions covering key aspects of aerogel composites from all facets, including fundamental studies and application-focused research.

Prof. Dr. María Luz Sánchez Silva
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • aerogels
  • aerogel composites
  • synthesis and characterization
  • physicochemical properties
  • application

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

17 pages, 9336 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Flame-Retardant Properties of Polyurethane Aerogels Doped with Silica-Based Particles
by Esther Pinilla-Peñalver, Óscar del Fresno, Darío Cantero, Adriana Moreira, Filipa Gomes, Francisca Miranda, Marcelo Oliveira, Mariana Ornelas, Luz Sánchez-Silva and Amaya Romero
Gels 2024, 10(7), 465; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10070465 - 16 Jul 2024
Viewed by 879
Abstract
In this work, polyurethane (PUR) aerogels doped with different SiO2 particles, derived from a renewable source, were successfully synthesized, and the effects of SiO2 content on the properties of PUR aerogels were investigated. Specifically, three types of SiO2-based particles [...] Read more.
In this work, polyurethane (PUR) aerogels doped with different SiO2 particles, derived from a renewable source, were successfully synthesized, and the effects of SiO2 content on the properties of PUR aerogels were investigated. Specifically, three types of SiO2-based particles obtained from rice husk through different procedures were evaluated to enhance the thermal stability of the composites with special attention given to flame-retardant properties. With the optimal SiO2 particles, obtained through acid digestion, the influence of their content between 0.5 and 3 wt.% on the physicochemical characteristics of the synthesized aerogels was thoroughly examined. The results showed that increasing the doping agent content improved the lightness, thermal stability, and flame-retardant properties of the resulting PUR aerogels, with the best performance observed at a 2 wt.% doping level. The doped aerogel samples with non-modified SiO2 particles significantly enhanced the fire safety performance of the material, exhibiting up to an eightfold increase in flame retardancy. However, modification of the SiO2 particles with phytic acid did not slow down the combustion velocity when filling the aerogels. This research highlights the promising potential of doped PUR/SiO2 aerogels in advancing materials science and engineering applications for withstanding high temperatures and improving fire safety. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Aerogels: From Design to Application)
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