%0 Journal Article %A Vivek, Balachandran %A Prasad, Edamana %D 2017 %T Self-Assembly-Directed Aerogel and Membrane Formation from a Magnetic Composite: An Approach to Developing Multifunctional Materials %U https://acs.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Self-Assembly-Directed_Aerogel_and_Membrane_Formation_from_a_Magnetic_Composite_An_Approach_to_Developing_Multifunctional_Materials/4665139 %R 10.1021/acsami.6b15765.s001 %2 https://acs.figshare.com/ndownloader/files/7607902 %K poly %K self-healing ability %K Magnetic Composite %K aerogel %K iron oxide nanoparticles %K 1- bromohexadecane %K gel exhibits %K room temperature %K Multifunctional Materials Herein %K membrane %K gelation process %K self-assembly %K system forms %K Self-Assembly-Directed Aerogel %K iron oxide %K material %K PAMAM %K cross-linker %K Membrane Formation %K control experiments %K oil absorption property %K self-healing property %K salt content %X Herein, we report the preparation of an aerogel and a membrane from a magnetic composite material by tuning the self-assembly at the molecular level. The gel exhibits an excellent oil absorption property, and the membrane shows a remarkable autonomous self-healing property. The composite is formed from an organosilicon-modified poly­(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer, which is linked with iron oxide nanoparticles and poly­(vinyl alcohol). Upon the addition of a cross-linker (formaldehyde), the system undergoes a fast self-assembly and gelation process. The aerogel, obtained after drying of the hydrogel, was modified with 1- bromohexadecane at room temperature and utilized for the removal of oil from water with 22.9 g/g absorption capacity. Intriguingly, the same system forms a membrane with 97% autonomous self-healing ability, in the absence of the cross-linker. The membrane was used to remove the salt content from water with an efficiency of 85%. The control experiments suggest that the presence of the magnetic material (iron oxide) plays a key role in the formation of both the aerogel and membrane. %I ACS Publications