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Gels
Special Issues
Recent Advances in Aerogels and Aerogel Composites
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Recent Advances in Aerogels and Aerogel Composites

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2025 | Viewed by 7365

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Mu Du

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute for Advanced Technology, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China
Interests: aerogel; radiative cooling; solar energy; thermal management
Dr. Xianbo Hou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Aerospace Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
Interests: aerogel composites; structural regulation; mechanical behavior; flexibility
Dr. Lin Guo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Energy Research Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250353, China
Interests: bionic interface design and fabrication; nanoporous aerogel for energy storage; microscale multiphase; phase change

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Aerogels, known for their ultralight structure and exceptional material properties, are at the forefront of material science innovation. The Special Issue of the journal Gels, entitled "Recent Advances in Aerogel and Aerogel Composites", aims to explore the cutting-edge developments within this field. It will serve as a comprehensive platform for researchers and scientists to disseminate their findings on the novel synthesis routes, characterizations, simulations, and applications of aerogel materials. 

The scope of this Special Issue encompasses a wide array of topics. Contributions are invited on subjects including, but not limited to, new methods in synthesis, simulation, structural design and functionalization, advances in hybrid aerogel composites, and breakthroughs in their mechanical, thermal, and acoustic properties. The Special Issue seeks to delve into the innovative functionalization of aerogels, with the goal of unlocking their potential in various applications such as catalysis, energy storage and conversion, thermal insulation, and environmental remediation. 

Moreover, submissions that report on the scalability of aerogel production, addressing the challenges associated with transitioning from laboratory-scale to industrial-scale manufacturing, are encouraged. Studies on the lifecycle assessment and environmental impact of aerogel production and utilization will also be key aspects aligned with the increasing demand for sustainable material solutions. 

This Special Issue aspires to serve as a nexus for academic and industrial researchers to share insights, foster collaborations, and push the boundaries of aerogel technology. Through this research collection, we aim to highlight the remarkable potential of aerogels and their composites, paving the way for their integration into next-generation materials and technologies.

Dr. Mu Du
Dr. Xianbo Hou
Dr. Lin Guo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Gels is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • aerogel
  • aerogel composites
  • simulation
  • preparation and characterization techniques
  • applications

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 4502 KiB  
Article
Radiation Characterization of Smart Aerogels Based on Hollow VO2 Particles
by Xingcan Li, Shengkai Qin, Bowei Xie, Tianbo Hou, Linkang Wang, Yinmo Xie and Meiran Han
Gels 2025, 11(4), 273; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11040273 - 5 Apr 2025
Viewed by 271
Abstract
The smart aerogel control technology based on thermochromic materials can dynamically adjust the emittance with temperature changes, which plays a significant role in reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. This paper presents the design of the smart aerogel based on hollow VO2 [...] Read more.
The smart aerogel control technology based on thermochromic materials can dynamically adjust the emittance with temperature changes, which plays a significant role in reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. This paper presents the design of the smart aerogel based on hollow VO2 particles with excellent emittance modulation. The radiation characteristics of a single particle were calculated using the multi-sphere superposition T-matrix method, and the radiation characteristics of the aerogel were determined using the Monte Carlo method. The results indicate that when the radius of the hollow VO2 particles is 1 μm and the shell thickness is 40 nm, the hollow particles display excellent thermal regulation. When the thickness of the VO2 particle smart aerogel is 50 μm, with a volume fraction of 2.5%, the emittance of the adaptable aerogel can reach 51.295%, which provides a theoretical foundation for the further advancement of infrared smart aerogels to enhance their energy-saving performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Aerogels and Aerogel Composites)
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12 pages, 2217 KiB  
Article
Improved Prediction of Elastic Modulus for Carbon-Based Aerogels Using Power-Scaling Model
by Cheng Bi, Mingyang Yang, Xu Yang, Ke Yun, Yuan Lu, Ying Zhang, Jie Zheng and Mu Du
Gels 2025, 11(3), 184; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11030184 - 6 Mar 2025
Viewed by 626
Abstract
The mechanical stability of carbon aerogels, particularly their thermal insulation performance, is closely linked to their elastic modulus. This property plays a crucial role in determining the material’s overall mechanical stability. The objective of this study is to enhance the accuracy of elastic [...] Read more.
The mechanical stability of carbon aerogels, particularly their thermal insulation performance, is closely linked to their elastic modulus. This property plays a crucial role in determining the material’s overall mechanical stability. The objective of this study is to enhance the accuracy of elastic modulus predictions for carbon aerogels using a power-scaling model. By setting the prefactor of the Gibson and Ashby equation to 1.0, accurate predictions of the elastic modulus can be achieved if the correct scaling exponent is determined. Twelve sets of experimental data were used to fit the power-scaling model, revealing that the scaling exponent for the elastic modulus of carbon aerogels typically falls between 2.2 and 3.0. This range is narrower than the 2.0 to 4.0 range reported in the literature, with a median value of 2.6 providing reliable predictions. Additionally, a relationship between the solid thermal conductivity and the elastic modulus of carbon aerogels was established using a thermal conduction model. The study also examined the elastic modulus of carbon nanotube and graphene aerogels—both allotropes of carbon aerogel. By fitting experimental data into the power-scaling model, the scaling exponents for carbon nanotube aerogels and graphene aerogels were found to range from 2.7 to 3.5 and 2.7 to 3.7, respectively. Median exponent values of 3.1 and 3.2 were identified as optimal for predicting the elastic moduli of carbon nanotube and graphene aerogels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Aerogels and Aerogel Composites)
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15 pages, 7054 KiB  
Article
Evolution Process of Fault Silica Aerogel under High Temperatures: A Molecular Dynamics Approach
by Wenping Yue, Tao Luo and Kaide Liu
Gels 2024, 10(8), 539; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10080539 - 20 Aug 2024
Viewed by 991
Abstract
Building fire will seriously threaten human safety. Silica aerogel with low thermal conductivity and thermal stability as fire-retardant material has been widely used in building fireproof structures. However, the natural fragility of silica aerogel will limit its application. In this work, the effects [...] Read more.
Building fire will seriously threaten human safety. Silica aerogel with low thermal conductivity and thermal stability as fire-retardant material has been widely used in building fireproof structures. However, the natural fragility of silica aerogel will limit its application. In this work, the effects of faults on the thermal stability of silica aerogel are studied by molecular dynamics simulation with large simulation time (20 ns). Additionally, the atomic model of silica aerogel with random faults is built by a straining structure (tensile strains are 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%). It is found that when the tensile strain is less than 20%, the silica backbone can remain stable. The effects of faults on the thermal stability can be neglected. The silica backbone thermally vibrates during the heating process. However, when the tensile strain is over 30%, it is observed that the faults will enhance the silica backbone merging. Silica aerogel can be stable under 800 K. It is believed that the results of this study will pave the way for the development of fireproof materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Aerogels and Aerogel Composites)
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15 pages, 1353 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Reinforced Fibers and Opacifiers on the Effective Thermal Conductivity of Silica Aerogels
by Binghuan Huang, Jingbei Li, Liang Gong, Pengcheng Dai and Chuanyong Zhu
Gels 2024, 10(5), 300; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10050300 - 26 Apr 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1962
Abstract
Fiber–particle-reinforced silica aerogels are widely applied in thermal insulation. Knowing their effective thermal conductivity (ETC) and radiative characteristics under high temperatures is necessary to improve their performance. This article first analyzes the radiation characteristics of silica aerogels doped with opacifier particles and reinforced [...] Read more.
Fiber–particle-reinforced silica aerogels are widely applied in thermal insulation. Knowing their effective thermal conductivity (ETC) and radiative characteristics under high temperatures is necessary to improve their performance. This article first analyzes the radiation characteristics of silica aerogels doped with opacifier particles and reinforced fibers, and then a universal model is established to predict the ETC. Furthermore, the impacts of different parameters of opacifier particles and reinforced fibers on the thermal insulation performance of silica aerogels are investigated. The results indicate that SiC exhibits comparatively strong absorption characteristics, making it a good alternative for opacifiers to improve thermal insulation performance under high temperatures. For the given type and volume fraction of opacifier particles, there exists an optimal diameter and volume fraction to achieve the best insulation performance of silica aerogel under a certain temperature. Considering that SiO2 fibers exhibit a limited extinction capability and higher conductive thermal conductivity under high temperatures, for fiber–particle-reinforced silica aerogels, it is beneficial for their insulation performance to reduce the fiber volume fraction when the required mechanical properties are satisfied. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Aerogels and Aerogel Composites)
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Review

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32 pages, 9580 KiB  
Review
Recent Progress of Three-Dimensional Graphene-Based Composites for Photocatalysis
by Fengling Zhang, Jianxing Liu, Liang Hu and Cean Guo
Gels 2024, 10(10), 626; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10100626 - 29 Sep 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2641
Abstract
Converting solar energy into fuels/chemicals through photochemical approaches holds significant promise for addressing global energy demands. Currently, semiconductor photocatalysis combined with redox techniques has been intensively researched in pollutant degradation and secondary energy generation owing to its dual advantages of oxidizability and reducibility; [...] Read more.
Converting solar energy into fuels/chemicals through photochemical approaches holds significant promise for addressing global energy demands. Currently, semiconductor photocatalysis combined with redox techniques has been intensively researched in pollutant degradation and secondary energy generation owing to its dual advantages of oxidizability and reducibility; however, challenges remain, particularly with improving conversion efficiency. Since graphene’s initial introduction in 2004, three-dimensional (3D) graphene-based photocatalysts have garnered considerable attention due to their exceptional properties, such as their large specific surface area, abundant pore structure, diverse surface chemistry, adjustable band gap, and high electrical conductivity. Herein, this review provides an in-depth analysis of the commonly used photocatalysts based on 3D graphene, outlining their construction strategies and recent applications in photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants, H2 evolution, and CO2 reduction. Additionally, the paper explores the multifaceted roles that 3D graphene plays in enhancing photocatalytic performance. By offering a comprehensive overview, we hope to highlight the potential of 3D graphene as an environmentally beneficial material and to inspire the development of more efficient, versatile graphene-based aerogel photocatalysts for future applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Aerogels and Aerogel Composites)
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