Versatile Route for Multifunctional Aerogels Including Flaxseed Mucilage and Nanocrystals

Abstract

Preparation of low density monolithic and free-standing organic-inorganic hybrid aerogels of various properties is demonstrated using green chemistry from a biosafe natural source (flaxseed mucilage) and freeze-casting and subsequent freeze drying. Bio-aerogels, luminescent aerogels, and magneto-responsive aerogels are obtained by combination of the flaxseed mucilage with different types of nanoparticles. Moreover, the aerogels are investigated as possible drug release systems using curcumin as a model. Various characterization techniques like thermogravimetric analysis, nitrogen physisorption, electron microscopy, UV/Vis absorption, and emission spectroscopy, bulk density, and mechanical measurements, as well as in vitro release profile measurements, are employed to investigate the obtained materials. The flaxseed-inspired organic-inorganic hybrid aerogels exhibit ultra-low densities as low as 5.6 mg cm −3 for 0.5% (w/v) the mucilage polymer, a specific surface area of 4 to 20 m 2 g −1 , high oil absorption capacity (23 g g −1 ), and prominent compressibility. The natural biopolymer technique leads to low cost and biocompatible functional lightweight materials with tunable properties (physicochemical and mechanical) and significant potential for applications as supporting or stimuli responsive materials, carriers, reactors, microwave-and electromagnetic radiation protective (absorbing)-materials, as well as in drug delivery and oil absorption.

Nanoparticle‐Based Cryogels from Colloidal Aqueous Dispersion: Synthesis, Properties and Applications

“…On the other hand, if the NPs concentration is increased (more than 0.1 vol %), the interconnection between the NPs in the sheets becomes better resulting in more rigid self‐supported cryogel structures with no shrinkage in the volume of the cryogel compared to the volume of the colloidal NPs solution [113] . The thickness of the 2D sheets is found to increase along with increasing the NPs concentrations.…”

“…In comparison, cryogelation followed by freeze drying can to a large extend avoid this shrinkage problem. [113] The microstructure of xerogels, aerogels and cryogels are very different, as shown from the SEM images in Figure 3 and 4c. The NPs in the xerogel structure are more compacted together than in the aerogel showing less porosity.…”

Recent trends in food and dietary applications of flaxseed mucilage: a mini review

“…It has been reported that FM might be employed to prepare ultra‐lightweight organic or organic–inorganic hybrid bio‐based aerogel. These aerogels can be used as a carrier of bioactive compounds and drugs or as a supporting material., a stimuli‐responsive material., a reactor, or an oil absorber (Abdelmonem et al ., 2022). FM may prospectively provide beneficial techno‐functional properties in cryogels (e.g., thermal stability and decrease of water disintegration rates) that are usable to incorporate bioactive compounds or probiotic living microorganisms (Hellebois et al ., 2024).…”

Hierarchical Porous Aerogels With Multiple Adsorptive Interactions for Dye Wastewater Purification

“…Natural, inexpensive and renewable polymers have been widely studied and applied in aerogels [18–21] . Gelatin (GEL), a biopolymer derived from collagen, is widely available and contains abundant hydrophilic groups [22,23] .…”

“…[12][13][14][15][16][17] Natural, inexpensive and renewable polymers have been widely studied and applied in aerogels. [18][19][20][21] Gelatin (GEL), a biopolymer derived from collagen, is widely available and contains abundant hydrophilic groups. [22,23] Gelatin exhibits a reversible sol-gel transition under temperature changes.…”