Water Stability Research Articles

Performance of Asphalt Mixtures Modified with Desulfurized Rubber and Rock Asphalt Composites

This study explores the performance of asphalt mixtures modified with North American rock asphalt and desulfurized rubber particles at varying rubber-to-asphalt ratios ranging from 18% to 36% by weight. A comprehensive set of laboratory tests, including high-temperature rutting tests, low-temperature bending tests, indirect tensile tests, and freeze–thaw splitting tests, were conducted to evaluate the modified mixtures. The results indicate that both wet and dry blending methods produce mixtures that meet technical requirements, with the optimal asphalt-to-aggregate ratio determined to be 7.1%. At a rubber-to-asphalt ratio of 18%, the wet blending method slightly improves high-temperature rutting resistance compared to the dry method. However, an increase in rubber content generally enhances rutting resistance regardless of the blending technique. The wet blending method excels in low-temperature crack resistance, possibly due to better rubber dispersion, while an increase in rubber content diminishes crack resistance due to a thinning asphalt film. In terms of fatigue performance, the dry blending method results in significantly longer fatigue life, with a 27% rubber-to-asphalt ratio exhibiting optimal balance. The dry method consistently outperforms the wet method in water stability, and the resistance to water damage increases with rubber content. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into optimizing rubber-to-asphalt ratios and blending methods for various application needs, showcasing the benefits of rock asphalt and desulfurized rubber particles in asphalt modification.

Application of Antioxidant‐ and Antimicrobial‐Rich Extracts From Hass Avocado Pulp in the Development of Chitosan/Gelatin‐Based Active Packaging Films for Raw Meat Preservation

ABSTRACTIn the present study, the ethanolic extracts derived from Hass avocado pulp were observed to exhibit exceptional bioactive qualities and demonstrate bactericidal efficacy against a wide range of microorganisms, encompassing both gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacteria, as well as fungi. Therefore, this work aimed to develop a biodegradable active film by incorporating the Hass avocado extracts into chitosan/gelatin‐based film (HGCF) for the preservation of beef and pork. The study reveals that the chitosan/gelatin‐based film (GCF) and HGCF exhibit significant water stability and absorption capabilities. HGCF offered the synergy of antimicrobial properties of Hass avocado extracts and high swelling in water of chitosan/gelatin blend to absorb liquid discharged from fresh meat for prolonged storage. HGCF demonstrated a significant effectiveness in controlling microbial density in comparison to uncoated samples and samples coated with plain gelatin/chitosan film. In detail, HGCF was able to partially eliminate Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli during storage, resulting in the densities after 14 days that were similar to those of uncoated meat samples after 6 days. These results demonstrate the potential of HGCF as active packaging for food preservation and advance the sustainable production and preservation of meat products.

Exploring different processes for starch extraction from microalgae and synthesis of starch-chitosan plastic films

Microalgae could become a more sustainable starch source than conventional crops. However, available refinery processes are lacking. In this study, we develop different innovative processes to refine microalgal starch and obtaining starch-based bioplastics. After lipid extraction, defatted microalgae were treated by different routes: enzymatic treatment with Alcalase; sonication in hot water or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) followed by precipitation with ethanol.Enzymes allows to extract 70 % of proteins while recovering 75 % of the initial starch in the residual pellet, with a purity of 58 %. The most effective configuration based on sonication and water/DMSO extraction allowed to recover up to 80 % starch with 80–91 % purity.Chitosan improved the mechanical properties of the obtained starch-based films. The use of defatted algae or purified starch gave different properties to the films (as rigidity and water stability) showing the possibility to tailor the material characteristics depending on the biorefinery route applied.

Lysozyme-enhanced cellulose nanofiber, chitosan, and graphene oxide multifunctional nanocomposite for potential burn wound healing applications

The demand for advanced biomaterials in medical treatments is rapidly expanding. To address this demand, a nanocomposite of cellulose nanofiber (CNF) with chitosan (Ch) and graphene oxide (GO) was developed for burn wound treatment. The CNF-Ch-GO nanocomposites were characterized and their biological properties were evaluated. Microscopic images showed a uniform distribution of CNF, Ch, and GO with a porous structure. ATR-FTIR and XRD analyses confirmed the chemical structures, while a thermogravimetric study confirmed the stability of CNF-Ch-GO nanocomposite under a N2 atmosphere. The synthesized CNF-Ch-GO nanocomposite exhibited rapid absorption, absorbing 1781.7 ± 53.7 % PBS in 2 min. It demonstrated a Young's modulus of 11.90 ± 0.06 MPa in a hydrated condition, indicating its mechanical stability in water. Furthermore, it displayed excellent biocompatibility and hemocompatibility with 96.23 ± 12.21 % cell viability and 0.21 ± 0.08 % of hemolysis. Additionally, the blood clotting index of CNF-Ch-GO was comparable to that of standard dressing gauze. To enhance antimicrobial efficacy, CNF-Ch-GO was conjugated with lysozyme. This biotic and abiotic conjugation resulted in 92.17 % ± 3.02 % and 94.99 ± 2.1 % eradication of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. The enhanced antimicrobial properties, biocompatibility, and mechanical stability of the superabsorbent CNF-Ch-GO nanocomposite indicate its significant potential for advanced burn wound healing applications.

Highly efficient and broad-spectrum antibacterial carbon dots combat antibiotic resistance

Bacterial infections have become a major global public health issue, particularly with the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains. Therefore, developing non-antibiotic antimicrobial agents is crucial for treating drug-resistant bacterial infections. Building on previous research into natural products as novel antibacterial agents, this study synthesized curcumin-derived carbon dots using curcumin and ethylenediamine as raw materials through a hydrothermal method. The resulting carbon dots not only improved the water solubility and stability of curcumin but also exhibited highly efficient broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. Detailed investigations into the antibacterial performance and mechanisms of the carbon dots were conducted through experiments such as minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination, live/dead bacterial staining, morphological studies, nucleic acid concentration detection, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection. The results indicated that the carbon dots significantly damaged the structural integrity of bacteria and generated large amounts of ROS. They exhibited remarkable antibacterial effects against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus, and effectively inhibited drug-resistant MRSA. Their antibacterial efficacy was notably superior to that of broad-spectrum antibiotics such as chloramphenicol and Sulfadiazine. This study highlights the potential application of curcumin-derived carbon dots in combating bacterial infections and provides valuable insights for developing novel antibacterial agents derived from natural products.

Ultra-fast molecular sieving in ZIF-67 and cellulose nanofibers based thin-film nanocomposite membrane

Membranes based on two-dimensional (2D) materials often show great separation efficiency and therefore have great potential in the treatment of dye wastewater. However, improving the water flux of 2D material-based membranes remains a challenge. In this work, 2D ZIF-67/CNF membranes were prepared on a polyether sulfone (PES) support layer via a simple extraction filtration method. The added CNF intertwined with 2D ZIF-67 nanosheets and formed an interlocked stacked laminar flow structure, which improved both the water flux and stability of the thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes. The optimized membrane showed a water flux of 357.8 L m−2 h−1 bar−1, and its rejections of four dyes (Direct Red 80, Methyl Blue, Alkali Blue 6B and Congo Red) were all above 99.8 %. Furthermore, the optimized membrane maintained a rejection of 97 % after 8 h of continuous operation, indicating that the facile mixing of nanofibers into nanosheets can be considered a promising strategy for preparing TFN membranes for dye wastewater treatment.

Reaction Time Induced a Two-Step Dissolution and Recrystallization Structural Transformation with Three Eu Metal-Organic Frameworks: Crystal Structures and Multiresponsive Fluorescence Detection.

Under solvothermal conditions, three 3D lanthanide metal-organic frameworks (Ln-MOFs): [Eu(H2DHTA)1.5(DMF)2]·DMF (1), [Eu(H2DHTA)0.5(DHTA)0.5(DMF)(H2O)]·2H2O (2), and Eu(HCOO)3 (3) (H4DHTA = 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalic acid) have been synthesized by different reaction times. Interestingly, induced by reaction time, compounds 1-3 underwent a two-step dissolution and recrystallization structural transformation (DRST) reaction. Investigations on the DRST processes were carried out, and the transformation pathway was deduced, which was verified by XRD analyses. Notably, compound 2 demonstrates pronounced luminescence as well as high stability in water and other organic solvents. The fluorescent detection of furan antibiotics can serve as turn-off effects, and glutamic acid (Glu), aspartic acid (Asp), and riboflavin (VB2) can serve as the turn-on effect. To explain the enhancing and quenching mechanisms, XRD, UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, electrochemistry, IR spectra, theoretical calculation, fluorescence lifetimes, and XPS were discussed. Additionally, MOF-coated test strips were utilized to detect these analytes, exhibiting excellent agreement with fluorescence spectroscopy. This work provides an example for more effective designs to employ Ln-MOFs as multiresponsive fluorescent sensors for detection of environmental pollutants in aqueous solution.

Aging Ni(OH)2 on 3C-SiC Photoanodes to Achieve a High Photovoltage of 1.1 V and Enhanced Stability for Solar Water Splitting in Strongly Alkaline Solutions.

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is a promising approach to directly convert solar energy to renewable and storable hydrogen. However, the very low photovoltage and serious corrosion of semiconductor photoelectrodes in strongly acidic or alkaline electrolytes needed for water splitting severely impede the practical application of this technology. In this work, we demonstrate a facile approach to fabricate a high-photovoltage, stable photoanode by depositing Ni(OH)2 cocatalyst on cubic silicon carbide (3C-SiC), followed by aging in 1.0 M NaOH at room temperature for 40 h without applying electrochemical bias. The aged 3C-SiC/Ni(OH)2 photoanode achieves a record-high photovoltage of 1.10 V, an ultralow onset potential of 0.10 V vs the reversible hydrogen electrode, and enhanced stability for PEC water splitting in the strongly alkaline solution (pH = 13.6). This aged photoanode also exhibits excellent in-air stability, demonstrating identical PEC water-splitting performance for more than 400 days. We find that the aged Ni(OH)2 dramatically promotes the hole transport at the photoanode/electrolyte interface, thus significantly enhancing the photovoltage and overall PEC performance. Furthermore, the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity and the phase transitions of the Ni(OH)2 electrocatalyst before and after aging are systematically investigated. We find that the aging process is critical for the formation of the relatively stable and highly active Fe-doped β-NiOOH, which accounts for the enhanced OER activity and stability of the PEC water splitting. This work provides a simple and effective approach to fabricate high-photovoltage and stable photoanodes, bringing new premise toward solar fuel development.

Effect of enzymes on baking quality of wheat dough and storage quality of toast bread

SummaryToast is a nutrient‐rich consumer staple with a unique taste. However, retrogradation affects its storage quality and shelf life. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of enzymes on the baking quality of wheat dough and the storage quality of baked bread. Fungal α‐amylase (FAM), lipase (LIP), and maltose amylase (MAM) were added to wheat dough under quadruple fermentation to evaluate their effects on the quality of wheat dough and toasted bread during storage. FAM reduced the water absorption and stability of wheat flour, whereas LIP and MAM improved its properties. Moreover, all three enzymes increased the fermentation height and gas‐holding capacity of the dough, resulting in toast with a larger specific volume and low hardness. Toast containing 15 mg kg−1 MAM had the highest number of air holes and the best elasticity. Furthermore, 9 mg kg−1 FAM, 45 mg kg−1 LIP, and 15 mg kg−1 MAM retarded the retrogradation of toast during storage, reduced its hardness, and decreased the short‐range order and relative crystallinity. These findings indicate that enzymes can delay retrogradation in toast to extend its shelf life. These results further suggest that enzymes inhibit recrystallisation to delay toast ageing. Thus, this study provides theoretical references for the practical application of enzymes in bakery products.

Design of Mixed-Metal MOF-74-MgNi for Water Adsorption-Driven Solar Thermal Energy Storage and Heat Transformation Applications.

Adsorption solar thermal energy storage and heat transformation are ecologically benign and energy-efficient technologies. Efficient adsorbents are the key to this technology. In this paper, two metal ions, Mg2+ and Ni2+, were introduced into the metal-organic framework MOF-74. The synthesis conditions were adjusted to obtain MOF-74 with a high water adsorption capacity and stability. The results show that MOF-74-MgNi-2 has the maximum water adsorption capacity. At a low moisture pressure P/P0 = 0.1, its water adsorption capacity is 0.44 g/g, 0.12 g/g, and 0.10 g/g greater than that of MOF-74-Mg and MOF-74-Ni, respectively. Its saturated water adsorption capacity at P/P0 = 0.9 is as high as 0.62 g/g, which is 1.3 times that of MOF-74-Ni and 1.1 times that of MOF-74-Mg, respectively. Its superior water adsorption capacity is explained by the combination of experiment and molecular simulation, which takes into account the pore structure and electrostatic potential energy distribution. Its thermal breakdown temperature is greater than 250 °C. Its water adsorption capacity decreases by only 9.0% in the 10th cycle. Under conventional refrigeration conditions, its refrigeration coefficient and working capacity are 0.75 and 0.43 cm3/cm3, respectively, which are greater than those of the majority of the regularly used adsorbents. In addition, it satisfies the primary technological goals of adsorption-based thermal batteries with a heat storage capacity of up to 1394 kJ/kg. The mixed-metal method is shown to be useful in the design of high-performance MOF-74 for solar thermal energy storage and heat transformation.

Water-Stable and Sensitive X-ray Detectors by Supramolecular Interaction-Enhanced Polyoxometalates.

Polyoxometalates (POMs) have shown prominence in the field of semiconductive materials in recent years. However, electronic applications based on these emerging materials are still in their early stages. Here, a sensitive and water-stable F-PEA-ZnW12 X-ray detector has been designed and constructed for hard X-ray detection and imaging. Supramolecular interactions of H···O bonding, electrostatic, and anion-π interactions not only enable FPEA-ZnW12 excellent water stability but also shorten the distance between [ZnW12O40]6- clusters, which reduces ion migration and dark current simultaneously, resulting in the conductivity of 3.2 × 10-11 S cm-1. Furthermore, the heteropoly blue formed on the surface of the O-FPEA-ZnW12 wafer device promotes the effective separation and extraction of X-ray-induced carriers, enhancing the sensitivity for X-ray detection. The R/O-FEPA-ZnW12 wafer device yields a high sensitivity of 3.1 × 104 μC Gyair-1 cm-2 with the lowest detectable dose rate of 69 nGyair s-1 under 120 kV hard X-ray irradiation. In addition, the O-FPEA-ZnW12 wafer detector exhibits the potential for X-ray detection in water with a sensitivity of 1.0 × 104 μC Gyair-1 cm-2. Moreover, the fabricated POM X-ray detector shows excellent X-ray imaging capability and long-term operational stability without any attenuation of 1 year exposure to air without any encapsulation.

Analysis of Views about Increasing the Water Stability of Soils

Analysis of Views about Increasing the Water Stability of Soils

Enhancement of Mechanical Properties of Zein-Based Nanofibers by Incorporation of Millet Gliadin.

In this work, a novel reinforcing filler, millet gliadin (MG), was used for the improvement of the mechanical properties of zein nanofibers. The structural and physicochemical properties of MG were compared with those of zein, and the influence of MG on the morphology, physical properties, and molecular structure of zein nanofibers was investigated. The results indicated that MG has an obviously smaller weight-average molecular weight (7623) in comparison to zein (13,330). Transmission electron microscopy showed that zein molecules more easily form aggregates with larger diameters than MG molecules in acetic acid. At a concentration of 30% (w/v), MG exhibited a significantly higher viscosity (0.66 ± 0.03 Pa·s) than zein (0.32 ± 0.01 Pa·s), indicating the stronger interactions of MG molecules. With the incorporation of MG, the tensile strength was significantly increased to 49.32 MPa (ZM-1/2), which is 2.08 times and 4.45 times higher than that of pure zein nanofibers (ZM-1/0) and MG nanofibers (ZM-0/1-1), respectively. Moreover, zein/MG composite nanofibers exhibited improved water stability. Fourier transform infrared spectra showed evidence of the hydrogen bonding interaction between zein and MG. Therefore, MG is a good candidate for use as a natural reinforcing filler in electrospun nanofibers made of biopolymers.

Performance evaluation of surface treatment waste glass as aggregate in asphalt mixture

Surface modification is a crucial strategy for enhancing the pavement performance of waste glass hot mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures. This study conducts a comparative analysis of various surface modification techniques to pinpoint the key factors that influence the interfacial interaction between waste glass and asphalt. To assess the performance of asphalt mixtures containing surface-treated waste glass, the study employed methods such as Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), boiling water tests, and contact angle measurements, which helped to quantify surface morphology and the effectiveness of different treatments. The evaluation also included assessments of water stability, dynamic stability, small beam bending, and anti-skid properties. Findings revealed that applying a silane coupling agent to the waste glass significantly enhanced adhesion with asphalt, resulting in markedly improved pavement performance. The study identified that incorporating surface-treated waste glass at an optimal proportion of 6 % within the asphalt mixture led to a 42.3 % increase in dynamic stability and a 38.6 % enhancement in anti-skid performance compared to standard mixtures. This research offers a comprehensive evaluation framework for surface modification techniques of waste glass, underscoring its potential to considerably improve road performance.

The Influence of the Structural Architecture on the Swelling Kinetics and the Network Behavior of Sodium-Alginate-Based Hydrogels Cross-Linked with Ionizing Radiation.

The present work discusses the influence of the structural architecture of sodium alginate-co-acrylic acid-poly(ethylene) oxide hydrogels, crosslinked through electron beam (e-beam) radiation processing. The most important properties of the hydrogels were studied in detail to identify a correlation between the architecture of the hydrogels and their properties. Furthermore, the effect of sodium alginate (NaAlg) concentration, the amounts of the polymer blend, and the size of the samples on hydrogel properties were investigated. The results show that the hydrogels cross-linked (0.5% and 1% NaAlg) with 12.5 kGy exhibit improved physicochemical properties. High gel fraction levels (exceeding 83.5-93.7%) were achieved. Smaller hydrogel diameter (7 mm) contributed to a maximum swelling rate and degree of 20.440%. The hydrogel network was dependent on the hydrogels' diameter and the amount of polymer blend used. The hydrogels best suited the first-order rate constants and exhibited a non-Fickian diffusion character with diffusion exponent values greater than 0.5. This study indicates that the cross-linked hydrogel has good properties, particularly because of its high degree of swelling and extensive stability (more than 180 h) in water. These findings show that hydrogels can be effectively applied to the purification of water contaminated with metals, dyes, or even pharmaceuticals, as well as materials with a gradual release of bioactive chemicals and water retention.

Stability-enhanced (Cu-, Zn-)MOFs via (Cu, Zn)S composite strategy: A promising approach for oil-water separation

The application of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in the field of oil-water separation is developing rapidly, but the challenges of poor water stability, poor scalability and durability still limit its practical application. In this study, two environmentally friendly and non-toxic superhydrophobic (Cu, Zn)S/(Cu-, Zn-)MOFs@stearic acid (CuS/Cu-MOFs@SA and ZnS/Zn-MOFs@SA) coatings were successfully prepared by hydrothermal method combined with dip coating method, with a water contact angle (WCA) of >165°. Through the synergistic effect with stearic acid (SA), the (Cu-, Zn-)MOFs coating composited with CuS and ZnS exhibits excellent durability in extreme environments. This synergistic effect significantly improves the mechanical stability and durability of the coating, allowing it to maintain a WCA of >155° after friction, kneading, tape stripping and ultrasonic treatment. However, CuS/Cu-MOFs@SA coating is significantly superior to ZnS/Zn-MOFs@SA coating in terms of chemical stability (acid-base-salt environment) and self-cleaning ability due to the different ligands used in the preparation process and the formation of particle structure. Significantly improved its durability and reliability in oil-water separation. The separation efficiency of the coating is as high as 98.7 %, and it remains above 97.8 % after 12 times of repeated use. This study provides a new strategy and important reference for the development of superhydrophobic MOFs coatings and oil-water separation materials with high stability, wear resistance and corrosion resistance.

Exploring the role of microtopography in the spatial pattern of soil water at the hillslope scale based on high-resolution observation

Terraces have consistently been regarded as crucial measures for water conservation and vegetation restoration, particularly in mountainous environments. However, the hydrological effects of terraces in artificial forests have been rarely studied. In this study, detailed topography, soil properties and high-resolution (30 sites) soil water data (0–70 cm) observed from March 2015 to March 2016 were collected at hillslope scale (0.2 ha). The effects of static (soil properties and topography) and dynamic factors (precipitation) on the dynamics and variability of soil water content (SWC) were studied based on statistical methods, temporal stability and variance decomposition methods. The results showed that slope, topographic wetness index (TWI) and microtopography were the main control factors of different soil layers (shallow, middle and deep layer), which explained 37.2 %, 48.6 % and 47.3 % of the total variance of corresponding soil layers, respectively. Microtopography primarily affects deep layer soil water (40–70 cm). Level terraces show significantly higher soil water content (SWC) (30.89 ± 5.28 %) compared to gentle slopes (25.40 ± 5.33 %), steep slopes (27.05 ± 5.74 %), and scarps (19.71 ± 4.43 %) (P<0.05). Temporal stability of soil water varied across different depths, with shallow layer soil water exhibiting significantly weaker stability compared to other depths, the most representative point of different soil layers was located on relatively flat terraces. Decomposition of spatial variance revealed that the time-invariant component was the primary contributor to the total spatial variance, with a mean value over 70 %. These results highlight that microtopography could weaken the influence of soil-terrain factors on soil water, and the implementation of level terraces can enhance hillslope hydrological conditions in the Rocky Mountain area.

Zeolite-modified alumina-bead catalyst for hierarchical cracking of bulky molecules

A novel zeolite-modified alumina-bead catalyst (ZSM-5/Al2O3-b) was prepared via calcining zeolite-coated alumina-bead material (Al2O3-b@ZSM-5) to graft zeolitic acid sites on the alumina-bead surface. The acid catalyst proved high activity and more 8 times catalytic efficiency than the corresponding ZSM-5(5 %) + Al2O3 mechanically mixed catalyst for cracking of 1, 3, 5-triisopropylbenzene (TIPB) in the FCC simulation reactor with short contact time. The characterization results showed that the surface property of the alumina-beads has been modified and the interface connection of Si-O-Al bonds between zeolitic nanoparticles and alumina resulted in stable zeolite particles on the alumina surface and the structural stability in hot water. The excellent catalytic performances are ascribed to the decrease of diffusion limitation of reactants and intermediates and the increase of Brønsted acid sites on the ZSM-5/Al2O3-b catalyst. The grafted/modified alumina-bead catalyst can be directly used in practical catalytic cracking of large molecules without forming. This strategy can be extended to the preparation of other types of zeolite-containing catalysts and industrial applications.

CsPbBr3 perovskite quantum dots by mesoporous silica encapsulated for enhancing water and thermal stability via high temperature solid state method

All inorganic perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) have great application prospects in the lighting and display fields due to their excellent photoelectric properties. However, their instabilities in water and high temperature lead to photoluminescence (PL) quenching, and colloidal synthesis methods usually use a mass of organic solvents, limiting their practical application. Herein, we successfully synthesized mesoporous silica (m-SiO2) and employed a confinement effect to successfully synthesize CsPbBr3@m-SiO2 powders using a simple high-temperature solid-phase synthesis method in an air atmosphere. When the m-SiO2 content is 0.2 g, optimal green luminous intensity is achieved with a peak wavelength of 522 nm and a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 23 nm. CsPbBr3@m-SiO2 powders have excellent thermal stability, the PL spectral shapes do not change and the PL intensity can maintain 88.1 % of the original level after 10 heating cycles (200 °C). In addition, CsPbBr3@m-SiO2 powders exhibit excellent water stability, which can still be well dispersed after 30 days exposure to water, and the PL strength remain basically unchanged. This study presents a novel approach for the advancement of stable perovskite luminescent materials.

Vanillin-crosslinked gelatin-polyvinyl alcohol aerogels: Improved physicochemical properties and antimicrobial activity

Crosslinking is a promising way to fabricate high-performance aerogels. In this study, vanillin (Van) crosslinked gelatin–polyvinyl alcohol (Gel−PVA) aerogels were prepared by vacuum freeze-drying method. The effects of different addition levels of Van on FTIR spectra, microstructures and physicochemical properties including water stability, mechanical properties, thermal stability and thermal insulation properties of aerogels were characterized, and antimicrobial activity of aerogels were validated. The results showed that Van exerted its crosslinking function through Schiff base bonding with Gel and hydrogen bonding with Gel and PVA. Although Van addition caused a slight decline in the thermal insulation performance and the obvious increase in pore diameter of aerogels, moderate Van crosslinking contributed to water stability, mechanical properties and thermal stability of aerogels. Besides, Van crosslinked Gel−PVA aerogel could effectively inhibit the growth of E. coli and B. cinerea. This suggests that the aerogel has promising applications in antimicrobial food packaging.