Chapter 3 Overview of organic–inorganic hybrid aerogels

Aerogels are a special class of porous material, which are one of the lightest materials with high porosity (~90%). It forms a three-dimensional solid continuous network structure through an interconnected bond, and the pores are filled with gas. Currently, these materials are in high demand due to their unique properties such as low density, low thermal conductivity, high porosity, high specific surface area, and high pore volume. Due to this unique property, they have proven useful in a variety of applications including thermal insulation, aerospace applications, sensing, drug delivery, CO2 capture, environmental remediation, wastewater treatment, agricultural and industrial waste treatment, membrane separation, sorption and flame resistance, and catalysts. The production of aerogel has increased enormously in recent years, leading to the synthesis of a wide range of new aerogels with unique physicochemical features and applications. However, aerogels made from a single constituent often have significant issues including a lack of functionalities and poor mechanical strength. One strategy to address this problem is the development of hybrid aerogels. This study gives a comprehensive overview of organic-inorganic hybrid aerogels including their mechanical and chemical properties as well as their application in the energy and environment sectors.