About this Research Topic
Xerogels are functional porous materials consisting of dried cross-linked polymeric networks.
Synthesis and characterization of novel xerogel-like materials for several applications, starting from different organic and inorganic precursors (i.e. silica, synthetic, carbon and biopolymers), have become hot topics in the field of material science and engineering. In fact, since their structures, shapes, and morphologies can be easily modulated during the synthesizing and drying phases, the development of xerogels has gained increased attention within the scientific community. During the last years, due to their desired and advanced properties, xerogels were found to be suitable in the development of smart biosensors, in medical/biomedical and drug delivery applications (thanks to their high drug-loading capacity) as well as for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (due to their high biocompatibility).
This Research Topic aims to expand knowledge, both at theoretical and application levels, about xerogel fundamentals, synthesis, and properties, currently not entirely exhaustive. In this context, a collection of research and review papers, which could represent a vehicle for the exchange of different ideas and the latest breakthroughs in the field, appears to be crucial in overcoming such limitations. Knowledge of the aforementioned aspects not only will allow the production of readily-accessible and economically-affordable “green” xerogel materials for eco-friendly, regenerative, renewable energy, soil preservation, sustainable food production, and clean water applications, but also could play a fundamental role in facing one of the most important challenges of our century, i.e. the full awareness of sustainable development. Based on these considerations, contributions to this research topic will improve the knowledge concerning state-of-art furnishing and will, at the same time, have very important benefits for the application-industrial field.
This Special Issue of Frontiers in Physics aims at collecting high-quality papers on the latest breakthroughs and advances in the field of xerogels science from theoretical models to advanced applications. In particular, we encourage submissions focused on both well-established and/or non-conventional approaches for the synthesis and characterization of xerogels. The aim is to obtain insights into fundamental and applied aspects related to any kind of organic/inorganic xerogel-like materials. Cutting-edge studies, both theoretical and experimental, focused on the structural, chemical, rheological, and dynamical properties of xerogels and xerogel-based derivatives are warmly welcomed.
In this context, particular attention will be paid to contributions regarding, but not restricted to, the following themes:
- physical/chemical characterization of xerogels
- well-established/novel synthesis route of xerogels
- Xerogels with advanced applications
- Modification processes of xerogels
- Description and modeling of xerogel properties
- Xerogel fundamentals
- Xerogel dynamical-property correlations
Synthesis and characterization of novel xerogel-like materials for several applications, starting from different organic and inorganic precursors (i.e. silica, synthetic, carbon and biopolymers), have become hot topics in the field of material science and engineering. In fact, since their structures, shapes, and morphologies can be easily modulated during the synthesizing and drying phases, the development of xerogels has gained increased attention within the scientific community. During the last years, due to their desired and advanced properties, xerogels were found to be suitable in the development of smart biosensors, in medical/biomedical and drug delivery applications (thanks to their high drug-loading capacity) as well as for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (due to their high biocompatibility).
This Research Topic aims to expand knowledge, both at theoretical and application levels, about xerogel fundamentals, synthesis, and properties, currently not entirely exhaustive. In this context, a collection of research and review papers, which could represent a vehicle for the exchange of different ideas and the latest breakthroughs in the field, appears to be crucial in overcoming such limitations. Knowledge of the aforementioned aspects not only will allow the production of readily-accessible and economically-affordable “green” xerogel materials for eco-friendly, regenerative, renewable energy, soil preservation, sustainable food production, and clean water applications, but also could play a fundamental role in facing one of the most important challenges of our century, i.e. the full awareness of sustainable development. Based on these considerations, contributions to this research topic will improve the knowledge concerning state-of-art furnishing and will, at the same time, have very important benefits for the application-industrial field.
This Special Issue of Frontiers in Physics aims at collecting high-quality papers on the latest breakthroughs and advances in the field of xerogels science from theoretical models to advanced applications. In particular, we encourage submissions focused on both well-established and/or non-conventional approaches for the synthesis and characterization of xerogels. The aim is to obtain insights into fundamental and applied aspects related to any kind of organic/inorganic xerogel-like materials. Cutting-edge studies, both theoretical and experimental, focused on the structural, chemical, rheological, and dynamical properties of xerogels and xerogel-based derivatives are warmly welcomed.
In this context, particular attention will be paid to contributions regarding, but not restricted to, the following themes:
- physical/chemical characterization of xerogels
- well-established/novel synthesis route of xerogels
- Xerogels with advanced applications
- Modification processes of xerogels
- Description and modeling of xerogel properties
- Xerogel fundamentals
- Xerogel dynamical-property correlations
Keywords: Xerogels fundamentals, Xerogels properties, Xerogels applications, Physical-chemical features of xerogels, Xerogels structural-property correlations
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
