Life Cycle Assessment of Aerogels: A Critical Review

Abstract

Over the past decade, aerogel sustainability has emerged as a pivotal area, revealing insights and identifying significant gaps. Exploring the sustainability dynamics of aerogel production, this study utilizes the robust methodology of Life Cycle Assessment to navigate environmental complexities. This study created a road map for sustainable aerogel production by analyzing Life Cycle Assessment studies in the literature. The outcomes of the review acknowledge the diversity in precursors, solvents, and production techniques, highlighting the urgency to bridge these disparities for a sustainable aerogel production path. The majority of studies have examined aerogel production from cradle to laboratory gate. Regarding sustainability, there are gaps in the use and end-of-life phases depending on the application areas for cradle to grave. For this purpose, functional units mutually agreed upon according to their application areas are needed. Moreover, the most significant contributors to environmental impacts are precursors, solvents, and drying techniques. These contributors are compared comprehensively in this review. Findings have emerged that aerogel productions should be examined synergistically to shed light on the debate about which technique is more environmentally friendly, especially for aerogel drying. Finally, sustainability suggestions were made by identifying gaps in the aerogel Life Cycle Assessment with comprehensive hotspots.