Nanocomposite Aerogels Research Articles

Correction to “Reduced Graphene Oxide/MXene/FeCoC Nanocomposite Aerogels Derived from Metal–Organic Frameworks toward Efficient Microwave Absorption”

Correction to “Reduced Graphene Oxide/MXene/FeCoC Nanocomposite Aerogels Derived from Metal–Organic Frameworks toward Efficient Microwave Absorption”

Direct ink writing 3D printed graphene oxide nanocomposite aerogel for intelligent fire-warning and exceptional fire-shielding

Fabricating intelligent fire-warning sensors with controllable 3D structures and shapes by advanced manufacturing technology is a formidable challenge but remains the critical factor in broadening fire prevention and protection. Herein, the novel fire-warning aerogel with a high-fidelity 3D porous structure and diversiform geometrical features based on graphene oxide (GO), cellulose nanofiber (CNF) and ammonium polyphosphate (APP) was fabricated via direct ink writing (DIW) 3D printing combined with freeze-drying technology. Benefiting from the hydrogen bonding multi-interactions between the molecules as well as the ideal rheological properties, the ink containing 20 wt% of CNF (GA-CNF-20) had a dynamic yield stress of 620 Pa. As a result, the corresponding aerogel had a significantly improved elasticity modulus of 153 kPa and a compressive stress of 400 kPa at a deformation of 39.7 %. Meanwhile, GA-CNF-20 displayed an ultrafast fire-warning trigger time (1.32 s) and a long-term response time (170 s) because of the thermal reduction property of GO together with the in-situ phosphorus doping reaction of APP under fire. Besides, the GA-CNF-20 also exhibited a strong heat-insulating capability, high char-forming property, self-extinguishing performance as well as structure integrity in the burning test. The relevant improvement mechanisms were attributed to the non-flammable gas diluting effect, intumescent char layer barrier effect and fire blowing-out effect in both gas and condensed phases. Such self-supporting printed aerogel can potentially be used as a fire-warning sensor for designated systems with specific precision structure in multi-domains of electrical and traffic engineering.

The effect of initial temperature on the mechanical strength of tricalcium phosphate/Chitosan/Silica aerogels nanocomposites using molecular dynamics simulation

BackgroundChitosan is an organic polymer derived from chitin, showcasing commendable biocompatibility and biodegradability, while tricalcium phosphate emerges as an active ceramic with proven biocompatibility and superior compatibility with bone tissue. This composite material, endowed with a unique amalgamation of attributes including biocompatibility, porosity, and mechanical strength, proves highly applicable in diverse fields such as tissue engineering, drug delivery systems, wound repair, and as scaffolds for cell proliferation in regenerative medicine. MethodsThe focal point of this study is an exploration of the nuanced interplay between the mechanical properties of silica aerogel/chitosan tricalcium phosphate nanocomposites with increasing initial temperature. Employing molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, the research aims to unveil the temperature-induced variations in the critical properties. Significant FindingsThe results reveal that the ultimate strength and Young's modulus values are determined to converge to 772.28 MPa and 62.291 GPa, at 297 K. As the initial temperature escalates from 300 to 350 K, the US decreases from 72.28 to 714.47 MPa. The decrease in US could be due to higher temperatures, the increased thermal energy can lead to greater atomic vibrations within the material, which can promote easier dislocation movement and result in reduced resistance to deformation. The results reveal that as temperature increases to 320 K, YM increases to 67.134, and with further increase in temperature, YM decreases to 62.865 GPa

Seed strategy synthesis of porous NASICON structured NaTi2(PO4)3/carbon aerogel nanocomposites for high-performance hybrid capacitive deionization

The limited capacity of conventional carbon electrode materials hinders the practical application of capacitive deionization (CDI). Hence, it is imperative to develop electrode materials with high sodium ion adsorption and reliable stability to facilitate the construction of hybrid CDI (HCDI) systems. Notably, NaTi2(PO4)3 (NTP) has received significant attention due to its high capacity and rapid transportation ability of sodium ions. However, the poor electrical conductivity and limited electrolyte contact area of NTP have prevented further improvement in its deionization capacity. Herein, we report a seed strategy to synthesize NTP/carbon aerogel (CA). P25 was used as a seed crystal to prepare TiO2/CA via the sol–gel method and supercritical CO2 drying. NTP/CA was then obtained from TiO2/CA by hydrothermal synthesis and calcination. This strategy preserved the rational network skeleton of CA and endowed NTP/CA with a high specific surface area of 420 m2/g. The enhanced electrical conductivity provided by CA yielded a remarkable salt adsorption capacity of 43.3 mg/g in a 500 mg/L NaCl solution and a stable cycle desalination capability. This work provides a new perspective for constructing three-dimensional, highly efficient and stable HCDI electrode materials.

Synergistic Layered Design of Aerogel Nanocomposite of Graphene Nanoribbon/MXene with Tunable Absorption Dominated Electromagnetic Interference Shielding.

Electromagnetic pollution presents growing challenges due to the rapid expansion of portable electronic and communication systems, necessitating lightweight materials with superior shielding capabilities. While prior studies focused on enhancing electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE), less attention is given to absorption-dominant shielding mechanisms, which mitigate secondary pollution. By leveraging material science and engineering design, a layered structure is developed comprising rGOnR/MXene-PDMS nanocomposite and a MXene film, demonstrating exceptional EMI shielding and ultra-high electromagnetic wave absorption. The 3D interconnected network of the nanocomposite, with lower conductivity (10-3-10-2 S/cm), facilitates a tuned impedance matching layer with effective dielectric permittivity, and high attenuation capability through conduction loss, polarization loss at heterogeneous interfaces, and multiple scattering and reflections. Additionally, the higher conductivity MXene layer exhibits superior SE, reflecting passed electromagnetic waves back to the nanocomposite for further attenuation due to a π/2 phase shift between incident and back-surface reflected electromagnetic waves. The synergistic effect of the layered structures markedly enhances total SE to 54.1 dB over the Ku-band at a 2.5 mm thickness. Furthermore, the study investigates the impact of hybridized layered structure on reducing the minimum required thickness to achieve a peak absorption (A) power of 0.88 at a 2.5 mm thickness.

High Specific Surface Area TiO2 Aerogels Incorporated in situ with Co/Mn Oxides as Stable Electrochemical Capacitor Electrodes

Nanocomposite aerogels comprised of TiO2 and metal (Co and Mn) oxides are synthesized via an in situ sol–gel method in this study, and their structural, compositional and electrochemical properties are evaluated for possible applications as electrodes in energy storage devices. The inclusion of metallic oxides into TiO2 aerogels hinder the formation of titania crystalline phases, preserved particle sizes close to their original dimensions and yielded higher specific surface areas compared to pure TiO2 aerogels after heat treatment. High specific surface areas in aerogels positively affect the electrochemical properties, allowing a high electrochemical activity of the electrodes, in addition to intensifying the transport of ions and solvents through the mesoporous network of this material. Evaluation of the electrochemical properties of the aerogel‐based nanocomposites involves galvanostatic charge–discharge, cyclic voltammetry, and impedance spectroscopy. The nanocomposites exhibit enhanced electrochemical properties and stable performance within the range suitable for supercapacitor applications, as indicated by the Ragone chart. Notably, aerogels with higher incorporation of cobalt and manganese oxides in TiO2 aerogels exhibit significantly elevated specific surface areas, reaching 562 and 555 m2 g−1, respectively. These values are notably high for nanocomposites, underscoring the potential of these electroactive materials for electrochemical capacitors.

Dual-crosslinked reduced graphene oxide/polyimide aerogels possessing regulable superelasticity, fatigue resistance, and rigidity for thermal insulation and flame retardant protection in harsh conditions

Polyimide (PI) aerogels have various applications in aerospace, national defense, military industry, and rail transit equipment. This paper reports a series of ultra-lightweight, high elasticity, high strength, low thermal conductivity, and high flame retardant rGO/PI nanocomposite aerogels prepared by the ice templating method. The effects of freezing processes (unidirectional freezing and random freezing), chemical composition, and environmental temperature (−196–200 °C) on the morphology, mechanical, and thermal properties of the aerogels were systematically studied. The results indicated that unidirectional aerogels exhibit anisotropic mechanical properties and thermal performance. Compression in the horizontal direction showed high elasticity, high fatigue resistance, and superior thermal insulation. Meanwhile, in the vertical direction, it demonstrated high strength (PI-G-9 reaching 14 MPa). After 10,000 cycles of compression in the horizontal direction (at 50 % strain), the unidirectional PI-G-5 aerogel still retains 90.32 % height retention, and 78.5 % stress retention, and exhibited a low stable energy loss coefficient (22.11 %). It also possessed a low thermal conductivity (32.8 mW m−1 K−1) and demonstrated good thermal insulation performance by sustaining at 200 °C for 30 min. Interestingly, the elasticity of the aerogels was enhanced with decreasing temperatures, achieving a height recovery rate of up to 100 % when compressed in liquid nitrogen. More importantly, the rGO/PI aerogels could be utilized over a wide temperature range (−196–200 °C) and had a high limiting oxygen index (LOI) ranging from 43.3 to 48.1 %. Therefore, this work may provide a viable approach for designing thermal insulation and flame-retardant protective materials with excellent mechanical properties that are suitable for harsh environments.

Microbial adhesion and nanocomposite‐loaded antifouling applications of insulating polymers in transmission lines‐a review

AbstractIn regions characterised by high humidity and abundant vegetation, the external insulation materials utilised in high‐voltage transmission and transformation are frequently fouled with a multitude of microorganisms, thereby jeopardising the reliable operation of the power grid. A comprehensive overview of the periodic growth regulation of parasitic algae is presented upon insulating composites across various regions of the world. Additionally, it highlights the methods for quantitative evaluation and accurate prediction of algae coverage degree. Also, the biological contaminates coating process and the artificial flashover test method are summarised, and the effects of algae on the reliability of inorganic and organic materials used for external insulation are compared. It emphasises the dynamic hygroscopic characteristics and cytoelectronegativity of cell secretions as the critical factors that negatively affect the hydrophobicity and flashover performance of silicone rubber insulators by algae. Furthermore, valuable insights into the long‐term inhibition of algae growth on polymeric insulators are provided using eco‐friendly antibiotic‐loaded silica aerogel nanocomposites.

High-Efficiency Adsorption of Uranium from Wastewater Using Graphene Oxide/Graphene Oxide Nanoribbons/Chitosan Nanocomposite Aerogels.

A chemical exfoliation and freeze-drying technique was used to create graphene oxide/graphene oxide nanoribbons/chitosan aerogels (GO/GONRs/CS). Aerogels were utilized to study uranium adsorption through batch experiments. Environmental influences on U(VI) adsorption were studied, including the starting concentration of U(VI), contact time, pH, and temperature. In order to characterize the composite, FTIR, SEM, XRD, and TEM analyses were used. A pseudo-second-order kinetic model may adequately represent the kinetics of U(VI) adsorption onto the surface of aerogels. The Freundlich model can explain the adsorption isotherm; the maximal adsorption capacity for U(VI) was determined to be 1208.85 mg/g; the adsorption process for U(VI) was endothermic, spontaneous, and pH-dependent; and the mechanism of adsorption is the chemisorption process. Chemisorption typically involves strong chemical interactions between the adsorbate (uranium ions) and the functional groups present on the surface of the adsorbent (the aerogel). Graphene oxide and graphene oxide nanoribbons contain oxygen-containing functional groups such as carboxyl (-COOH), hydroxyl (-OH), and epoxy (-O-) groups, which can act as active sites for chemical bonding. Chitosan, a polysaccharide derived from chitin, also possesses functional groups like amino (-NH2) and hydroxyl groups. Uranium ions, in their U(VI) form, can form chemical bonds with these functional groups through various mechanisms such as electrostatic interactions, complexation, and coordination bonds. The combination of graphene oxide-based materials and chitosan in the nanocomposite aerogel offers several advantages, including a large specific surface area, chemical stability, and the presence of functional groups for effective uranium adsorption.

Supramolecular cross-linking affords superelastic and fatigue-resistant cellulose-based nanocomposites with excellent thermomechanical properties and waterproofing performance

Nanocellulose is one of the most abundant renewable resources on earth and is used in many applications due to its excellent physical and chemical properties, and it is an important biopolymer raw material to support human well-being. However, current cellulose-based aerogel nanocomposites are plagued by irreconcilable contradictions between thermomechanical and waterproofing characteristics due to their hygroscopicity. Herein, sustainable insulating cellulose aerogel nanocomposites are prepared from tempo-oxidized bamboo cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with a continuous orientation-free pore architecture formed by CNFs/PVA pre-hydrogel aggregates, which combine to become the basic structural unit for producing superelastic properties. The resulting lightweight CNFs/PVA aerogels (CNPA) with a hierarchical orientation-free pore architecture and density about 5–20 kg m3 achieve an optimal thermomechanical and insulation trade-off, demonstrating temperature-invariant compressibility (–100–500 ℃) and a low thermal conductivity of 38.2 mW m–1 K–1 at 300 ℃. Particularly, the flyweight CNPA retained its structural integrity after more than 106 cycles at ɛ=20 %, 105 cycles at ɛ=50 %, and 104 cycles at ɛ=80 %. Furthermore, CNPA also exhibits robust liquid-repellency with a WCA exceeding 160.3°. This lightweight cellulose-based nanocomposites, although constructed using an intrinsically hygroscopicity nanocellulose-constituent, is simultaneously superelastic, fatigue-resistant, thermomechanical, and waterproofing performance.

Magnetic Aerogels for Room-Temperature Catalytic Production of Bis(indolyl)methane Derivatives.

The potential of aerogels as catalysts for the synthesis of a relevant class of bis-heterocyclic compounds such as bis(indolyl)methanes was investigated. In particular, the studied catalyst was a nanocomposite aerogel based on nanocrystalline nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) dispersed on amorphous porous silica aerogel obtained by two-step sol-gel synthesis followed by gel drying under supercritical conditions and calcination treatments. It was found that the NiFe2O4/SiO2 aerogel is an active catalyst for the selected reaction, enabling high conversions at room temperature, and it proved to be active for three repeated runs. The catalytic activity can be ascribed to both the textural and acidic features of the silica matrix and of the nanocrystalline ferrite. In addition, ferrite nanocrystals provide functionality for magnetic recovery of the catalyst from the crude mixture, enabling time-effective separation from the reaction environment. Evidence of the retention of species involved in the reaction into the catalyst is also pointed out, likely due to the porosity of the aerogel together with the affinity of some species towards the silica matrix. Our work contributes to the study of aerogels as catalysts for organic reactions by demonstrating their potential as well as limitations for the room-temperature synthesis of bis(indolyl)methanes.

High-Energy Laser Protection Performance of Fibrous Felt-Reinforced Aerogels with Hierarchical Porous Architectures.

Continuous-wave lasers can cause irreversible damage to structured materials in a very short time. Modern high-energy laser protection materials are mainly constructed from ceramic, polymer, and metal constitutions. However, these materials are protected by sacrificing their structural integrity under the irradiation of high-energy lasers. In this contribution, we reported multilayer fibrous felt-reinforced aerogels that can sustain the continuous irradiation of a laser at a power density of 120 MW·m-2 without structural damage. It is found that the exceptional high-energy laser protection performance and the comparable mechanical properties of aerogel nanocomposites are attributed to the unique characteristics of hierarchical porous architectures. In comparison with various preparation methods and other aerogel materials, multilayer fibrous felt-reinforced aerogels exhibit the best performance in high-energy laser protection, arising from the gradual interception and the Raman-Rayleigh scattering cycles of a high-energy laser in the porous aerogels. Furthermore, a near-zero thermal expansion coefficient and extremely low thermal conductivity at high temperature allow the lightweight felt-reinforced aerogels to be applied in extreme conditions. The felt-reinforced aerogels reported herein offer an attractive material that can withstand complex thermomechanical stress and retain excellent insulation properties at extremely high temperature.

Preparation of novel silica-clay mineral aerogel nanocomposites with outstanding thermal insulation performance

Monolithic silica-based aerogels, produced with tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), reinforced with aramid fibers and incorporating aluminosilicates were prepared for the first time. The nanocomposites were obtained by varying the amount and type of aramid fibers and replacing a part of the synthetic Si (up to 35 wt% of Si) of TEOS by natural aluminosilicates, kaolin and palygorskite. The effects of the type and amount of both fiber and mineral in the materials key properties were investigated. Most samples displayed very low volumetric shrinkages during ambient drying (<5%), high porosity (∼90%), and low bulk densities, down to 120 kg m−3. Composites with both minerals exhibited superinsulating thermal performance, with thermal conductivity reaching values as low as 22 mW m−1 K−1, while also showing excellent thermal stability. The mechanical properties of the designed clay mineral-silica aerogels can be tailored, since the addition of short length fibers (Kevlar pulp) produces stiffer composites, while the longer fibers (Teijinconex) lead to more flexible ones.

Melamine Network as a Solution for Significant Enhancement of the Mechanical, Adsorptive, and Surface Properties in a Novel Carbon Nanomaterial-Silica Aerogel Composite.

Silica aerogels exhibit exceptional characteristics such as mesoporosity, light weight, high surface area, and pore volume. Nevertheless, their utilization in industrial settings remains constrained due to their brittleness, moisture sensitivity, and costly synthesis procedure. Several studies have proved that adding nanofillers, such as carbon nanotubes (CNT) or graphene nanoplatelets (GNP), can improve the mechanical strength of the aerogels. The incorporation of nanofillers is often accompanied by agglomeration and pore blockage, which, in turn, deteriorates the surface area, pore volume, and low density. Including flexible melamine foam (MF) as a scaffold for the silica aerogel and nanofiller composite can prevent the restacking of the nanofillers through π-π interaction, hence maintaining the incredible properties of aerogels and improving their mechanical properties. CNT, GNP, and the polymeric silica precursor, polyvinyltrimethoxysilane (PVTMS), were added to a MF, at varying concentrations, to fabricate the MF-aerogel nanocomposites. Surfactant and sonication were utilized to ensure a homogeneous dispersion of the nanofillers in the system. The presence of MF prevented the agglomeration of nanofillers, resulting in lower density and relatively higher surface properties (SBET up to 929 m2·g-1 and pore volume up to 4.34 cc·g-1). Moreover, the MF-supported samples could endure 80% strain without breakage and showed an outstanding compressive strength of up to ∼20 MPa. These aerogel nanocomposites also demonstrated an excellent volatile organic compound (∼2680 mg·g-1) and cationic dye adsorption (∼10 mg·g-1).

Facile Synthesis of Fe-Doped, Algae Residue-Derived Carbon Aerogels for Electrochemical Dopamine Biosensors.

An abnormal level of dopamine (DA), a kind of neurotransmitter, correlates with a series of diseases, including Parkinson's disease, Willis-Ekbom disease, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and schizophrenia. Hence, it is imperative to achieve a precise, rapid detection method in clinical medicine. In this study, we synthesized nanocomposite carbon aerogels (CAs) doped with iron and iron carbide, based on algae residue-derived biomass materials, using Fe(NO3)3 as the iron source. The modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) for DA detection, denoted as CAs-Fe/GCE, was prepared through surface modification with this composite material. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction characterization confirmed the successful doping of iron into the as-prepared CAs. Additionally, the electrochemical behavior of DA on the modified electrode surface was investigated and the results demonstrate that the addition of the CAs-Fe promoted the electron transfer rate, thereby enhancing their sensing performance. The fabricated electrochemical DA biosensor exhibits an accurate detection of DA in the concentration within the range of 0.01~200 µM, with a detection limit of 0.0033 µM. Furthermore, the proposed biosensor is validated in real samples, showing its high applicability for the detection of DA in beverages.

Development of Light, Strong, and Water-Resistant PVA Composite Aerogels.

A significant weakness of many organic and inorganic aerogels is their poor mechanical behaviour, representing a great impediment to their application. For example, polymer aerogels generally have higher ductility than silica aerogels, but their elastic modulus is considered too low. Herein, we developed extremely low loading (<1 wt%) 2D graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets modified poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) aerogels via a facile and environmentally friendly method. The aerogel shows a 9-fold increase in compressional modulus compared to a pure polymer aerogel. With a low density of 0.04 mg/mm3 and a thermal conductivity of only 0.035 W/m·K, it outperforms many commercial insulators and foams. As compared to a pure PVA polymer aerogel, a 170% increase in storage modulus is obtained by adding only 0.6 wt% GO nanosheets. The nanocomposite aerogel demonstrates strong fire resistance, with a 50% increase in burning time and little smoke discharge. After surface modification with 1H,1H,2H,2H-Perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane, the aerogel demonstrates water resistance, which is suitable for outdoor applications in which it would be exposed to precipitation. Our research demonstrates a new pathway for considerable improvement in the performance and application of polymer aerogels.

Facile synthesis of Au–TiO2/Bacterial cellulose aerogel nanocomposites with enhanced photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue under UV irradiation

The Au–TiO2/Bacterial cellulose aerogel nanocomposites (Au–TiO2/BC NCs) with remarkable photocatalytic properties and designed to solve agglomeration and reusability challenges in wastewater treatment have been successfully synthesized. The integration of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) with TiO2, in conjunction with bacterial cellulose (BC) serving as a three-dimensional nanostructure, resulted in the formation of Au–TiO2/BC NCs through mechanical compositing, a confirmation obtained through various characterization techniques including XRD, SEM, SEM-EDS, TEM, TEM-EDS, BET, XPS, FT-IR, Spectrofluorometer, Raman, and UV–vis spectroscopy. The combination of Au–TiO2 nanoparticles with BC showcased homogeneous coverage over BC nanostructures, attributed to BC's unique properties, particularly its surface hydroxyl groups that prevent TiO2 agglomeration, along with uniform distribution of Au nanoparticles on TiO2 layers. Photocatalytic activity, assessed through methylene blue (MB) degradation under both UV and direct sunlight irradiation, demonstrated significantly improved efficiency with AuNPs, achieving approximately 90% degradation in the Au–TiO2/BC NCs under UV irradiation. The synthesized NCs exhibited stability with a slight performance reduction after cyclic tests, indicating potential for wastewater treatment applications under diverse light conditions. The integration of Au NPs onto TiO2 surfaces amplified light-induced reactions, addressing critical challenges in environmental remediation, particularly in the degradation of persistent environmental pollutants. This study offers valuable insights, positioning Au–TiO2/BC NCs as promising candidates for sustainable environmental remediation, emphasizing reusability, enhanced photocatalytic performance, and a straightforward synthesis process under both UV and direct sunlight irradiation.

Facile fabrication of thermo-mechanically reinforced polystyrene-graphene nanocomposite aerogel for produced water treatment

Facile fabrication of thermo-mechanically reinforced polystyrene-graphene nanocomposite aerogel for produced water treatment

Preparation and characterization of PVB/CsxWO3/SiO2(aerogel) nanocomposites for laminated glass with high visible light transmission and excellent thermal insulation

Preparation and characterization of PVB/CsxWO3/SiO2(aerogel) nanocomposites for laminated glass with high visible light transmission and excellent thermal insulation

Nanocomposite Aerogel Network Featuring High Surface Area and Superinsulation Properties

Nanocomposite Aerogel Network Featuring High Surface Area and Superinsulation Properties