Novel trends in polymer aerogel nanocomposites

ABSTRACT

Aerogel (AG) refers to porous ultra-light materials garnered from gelly substrates whose liquid portion of the gel has been replaced by gas forming a solid with very low heat dissipating behavior, as well as low density since it is composed of about 99.8% air. However, the advent of nanotechnology has facilitated the embedding of nanomaterials, such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, and so on, within AG, thereby resulting in the formation of lightweight, high-performing, and multifunctional AG nanoarchitectures. Therefore, this paper elucidates properties and features facilitating AG and AG nanocomposites n varying applications.

Graphical abstract

KEYWORDS:

• Aerogel nanocomposites
• aerogel bionanocomposites
• building applications

Acknowledgments

The author acknowledges Prof Azman Hassan of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, for encouraging and motivating effective academic legacies, and Mrs. Idumah Gladys for moral support.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Christopher Igwe Idumah

Dr. Christopher Igwe Idumah, holds a Ph.D. in Polymer Engineering from Universti  Teknologi Malaysia, a M.Eng. from Manchester University, England, United Kingdom, and a B.Eng. from FUTO. He is presently a Lecturer  at the Department of Polymer and Textile Engineering. Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.