Ultralight and Flexible Subnanowire Aerogels for Intrinsically Hydrophobic Thermal Insulation

). Because the HAP SNWs consist of hydroxyapatite cores capped with hydrocarbon chains, the aerogels demonstrate intrinsic hydrophobicity (138° water contact angle) and superior thermal stability compared to polymer foams. Furthermore, the HAP SNW aerogels can effectively shield against infrared radiation due to their low thermal conductivity. This work suggests that SNWs can serve as superior building blocks for flexible, tough, and intrinsically hydrophobic aerogels, paving the way for future applications in thermal insulation.