Aerogels in the Environment Protection

Aerogels with open three-dimensional mesoporous structure and high specific surface areas have potential applications as adsorbents, catalysts, thermal insulation, and acoustic absorption materials for environmental purposes. In this review, we present some typical examples of the adsorption of heavy metals ions and organic pollutants in wastewater and organic molecules in air, as well as the catalytic applications of aerogels for the decomposition of inorganic and organic pollutants. Other applications of aerogels used as hydrogen storage, thermal insulation, and acoustic absorption materials for environmental purposes are also discussed. The faced problems of associated withthe application of aerogels in the environmental field have beenare summarized, and the future developments of aerogels are projected. In addition, the preparation process for aerogels and the factors affecting the properties of aerogels are described.