Enhancing Aerogel Performance for Industrial and Environmental Applications

Aerogels represent a class of materials with exceptional properties, including low density, high porosity, and ultra-low thermal conductivity, which have garnered significant interest across various fields, such as thermal insulation, photocatalysis, and protective applications. Despite their superior thermal attributes, aerogels face challenges such as fragility, high production costs, and handling difficulties. Recent studies have focused on enhancing aerogels' photocatalytic and insulating properties through composition optimization and microstructural reconstruction, leveraging their high surface area and porosity. Innovations in aerogel fabrication techniques, such as the grafting of vinyltrimethoxysilane onto polymethylhydrosiloxane chains, have led to the development of flexible, superhydrophobic aerogels with improved structural integrity and thermal stability. However, silica aerogels' fragility and moisture sensitivity continue to limit their widespread adoption, prompting research into hydrophobic, resilient aerogels capable of withstanding extreme temperatures and mechanical stress. The synthesis of polymer-reinforced SiO2 aerogels with enhanced flame resistance and mechanical properties has also been explored, although the thermal stability of organic components remains a concern. Similar is the case with carbon aerogels. This research landscape is ripe for further exploration to address these challenges and unlock the full potential of aerogels in industrial and technical applications.

This Research Topic aims to advance the understanding and development of aerogels, focusing on improving their mechanical strength, thermal stability, and cost-effectiveness while maintaining their unique insulating and photocatalytic properties. The goal is to explore innovative fabrication techniques, material compositions, and design variations that can overcome the inherent limitations of aerogels. By addressing these challenges, the research seeks to enhance the practicality and performance of aerogels in energy storage, thermal protection, and environmental applications, such as CO2 capture and oil-water separation.

To gather further insights in the realm of aerogel technology, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Advances in silica aerogels applications
- Advances in carbon aerogels applications
- Advances in aerogel fabrication techniques and material optimization
- Strategies for improving the mechanical and thermal stability of aerogels
- Cost-effective production methods for aerogel manufacturing
- Development of hydrophobic and superhydrophobic aerogels for various applications
- Aerogel-based solutions for energy storage and thermal insulation
- Applications of aerogels in environmental protection, including CO2 mitigation and oil-water separation
- Novel approaches to enhance the photocatalytic efficiency of aerogels
- The role of aerogels in high-temperature environments and fireproofing applications
- Design and synthesis of polymer-reinforced aerogels for improved performance

Keywords: Silica aerogels, Carbon aerogels, Properties, Thermal insulation, Energy storage, Catalysis, Environmental remediation

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.