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Hou X, Chen J, Chen Z, Yu D, Zhu S, Liu T, Chen L. Flexible Aerogel Materials: A Review on Revolutionary Flexibility Strategies and the Multifunctional Applications. ACS Nano 2024. [PMID: 38655632 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c00347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The design and preparation of flexible aerogel materials with high deformability and versatility have become an emerging research topic in the aerogel fields, as the brittle nature of traditional aerogels severely affects their safety and reliability in use. Herein, we review the preparation methods and properties of flexible aerogels and summarize the various controlling and design methods of aerogels to overcome the fragility caused by high porosity and nanoporous network structure. The mechanical flexibility of aerogels can be revolutionarily improved by monomer regulation, nanofiber assembly, structural design and controlling, and constructing of aerogel composites, which can greatly broaden the multifunctionality and practical application prospects. The design and construction criterion of aerogel flexibility is summarized: constructing a flexible and deformable microstructure in an aerogel matrix. Besides, the derived multifunctional applications in the fields of flexible thermal insulation (flexible thermal protection at extreme temperatures), flexible wearable electronics (flexible sensors, flexible electrodes, electromagnetic shielding, and wave absorption), and environmental protection (oil/water separation and air filtration) are summarized. Furthermore, the future development prospects and challenges of flexible aerogel materials are also summarized. This review will provide a comprehensive research basis and guidance for the structural design, fabrication methods, and potential applications of flexible aerogels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianbo Hou
- College of Aerospace Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia Chen
- College of Aerospace Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhilin Chen
- College of Aerospace Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongqin Yu
- College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaowei Zhu
- College of Aerospace Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Liu
- College of Aerospace Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, People's Republic of China
| | - Liming Chen
- College of Aerospace Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, People's Republic of China
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Chen X, Cao H, He Y, Zhou Q, Li Z, Wang W, He Y, Tao G, Hou C. Advanced functional nanofibers: strategies to improve performance and expand functions. Front Optoelectron 2022; 15:50. [PMID: 36567731 PMCID: PMC9761053 DOI: 10.1007/s12200-022-00051-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Nanofibers have a wide range of applications in many fields such as energy generation and storage, environmental sensing and treatment, biomedical and health, thanks to their large specific surface area, excellent flexibility, and superior mechanical properties. With the expansion of application fields and the upgrade of application requirements, there is an inevitable trend of improving the performance and functions of nanofibers. Over the past few decades, numerous studies have demonstrated how nanofibers can be adapted to more complex needs through modifications of their structures, materials, and assembly. Thus, it is necessary to systematically review the field of nanofibers in which new ideas and technologies are emerging. Here we summarize the recent advanced strategies to improve the performances and expand the functions of nanofibers. We first introduce the common methods of preparing nanofibers, then summarize the advances in the field of nanofibers, especially up-to-date strategies for further enhancing their functionalities. We classify these strategies into three categories: design of nanofiber structures, tuning of nanofiber materials, and improvement of nanofibers assemblies. Finally, the optimization methods, materials, application areas, and fabrication methods are summarized, and existing challenges and future research directions are discussed. We hope this review can provide useful guidance for subsequent related work. Graphical abstract
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Chen
- School of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074 China
| | - Honghao Cao
- School of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074 China
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, 02139 USA
| | - Yue He
- School of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074 China
| | - Qili Zhou
- School of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074 China
| | - Zhangcheng Li
- School of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074 China
| | - Wen Wang
- School of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074 China
| | - Yu He
- School of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074 China
| | - Guangming Tao
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074 China
- State Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Die and Mould Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074 China
| | - Chong Hou
- School of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074 China
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074 China
- Research Institute of Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518063 China
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