posted on 2023-09-10, 20:03authored byLucía
G. De la Cruz, Tobias Abt, Noel León, Miguel Sánchez-Soto
Polymer-based aerogels are tough, low-density, and thermally
insulating
materials currently receiving increasing attention. In this work,
robust all-natural aerogel composites have been obtained by incorporating
nanoscale montmorillonite and tannic acid into a gelatin matrix via
freeze-drying. The prepared aerogels exhibited low densities, good
compressive properties, and low thermal conductivities. The significant
improvement in the thermomechanical properties results from the strong
bonding between gelatin and tannic acid. Under fire, the systems exhibited
excellent flame retardancy with reduced thermal degradation rate and
cone calorimeter burning parameters. A straightforward surface treatment
with polydimethylsiloxane gave the aerogels exceptional and durable
superhydrophobicity. These multifunctional composite aerogels are
considered promising eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic polymer-based
foams.