Aerogels are a class of porous nanomaterial
with prominent properties
such as low density, high porosity, large specific surface area, and
adjustable surface chemistry. It is a challenge to accurately control
hierarchically porous structures of aerogels, efficiently make aerogels
stimuli-responsive in the solid state, and fully endow them with desirable
features. As unique macrocyclic compounds, cyclodextrins (CDs) could
be employed as building blocks to produce aerogels with fascinating
structures and composite functionalities due to their various advantages
including being biodegradable, their intrinsic nanocavities, intriguing
self-assembling properties, and host–guest interaction. Considering
the arising development in the study of CDs-based aerogels, recent
research progress in this field is summarized here. Initially, we
will analyze different synthesis methods for the construction of CDs-based
aerogels, such as a sol–gel process and a drying process. Furthermore,
various types of CDs-based aerogels are analyzed and discussed briefly,
including CDs-based polypseudorotaxanes /polyrotaxanes aerogels, CDs-based
cross-linked aerogels, and CDs-based hybrid aerogels. Finally, the
current applications of CDs-based aerogels in thermal insulation,
adsorption of environmental pollutants, and electrochemical sensors
are summarized in detail, and the future development trends of such
hybrid materials are described to assist researchers to find opportunities
in this field.