Recent Advances in Aerogel Materials for Adsorptive Removal and Photocatalysis of VOCs in Air

Indoor air quality (IAQ) has become a critical global concern due to the high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from various indoor sources, posing significant health risks. Adsorption and photocatalytic oxidation are established routes for VOC removal; however, their practical performance in powder form is limited by high pressure drop, catalyst agglomeration, reduced light/mass transport, and difficulty in integration with air filters. To overcome these limitations, aerogels have gained attention as supports or substrates for photocatalysts. Their highly porous, tunable three‐dimensional nanostructure provides high surface area, low pressure drops, strong dispersion of active phases, and improved light and mass transfer. Consequently, aerogel‐based materials enable the same photocatalytic processes to operate more effectively for indoor air purification. This work provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in the development and application of aerogels for gas‐phase adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of VOCs. It discusses the brief advantages of aerogel materials and classifies aerogel materials in three categories: (i) metal–organic framework (MOF)‐based, (ii) carbonbased, and (iii) metal oxide‐based aerogels. For each category, synthesis strategies, functional enhancements, and VOC removal performance are discussed and critically evaluated. Challenges related to mechanical fragility, regeneration, scalability, and visible‐light responsiveness are identified as key areas for further development. Finally, the review outlines future research directions, including the design of hybrid aerogel systems, the integration of 3D printing, visible‐light active photocatalysts, and incorporation into self‐cleaning devices and indoor air filters. The work is aimed at highlighting the potential of aerogels as a next‐generation, energy‐efficient, sustainable solution for indoor air purification.