Aerogel Evolution: From Monoliths to Multifunctional Environmental Sorbents

Aerogels, renowned for their ultra-low density and exceptional porosity, have long captivated materials scientists since their discovery in the 1930s. Initially recognized as fragile silica monoliths, advances in chemistry and nanotechnology have since transformed aerogels into robust, versatile materials tailored for diverse applications. Their unique structural attributes—ranging from high surface area to tunable pore architectures—render them ideal candidates for cutting-edge roles in thermal insulation, catalysis, energy storage, and increasingly, environmental remediation. The persistent challenge of pollution across water, air, and soil ecosystems has spurred interest in developing aerogel architectures that act not only as passive adsorbents but also as active sorbents capable of addressing multifaceted environmental threats.

Despite significant achievements, a major bottleneck remains in translating classic aerogel monoliths—often mechanically brittle and single-function—into advanced, multifunctional sorbents designed for real-world environmental challenges. Current research seeks to bridge this gap by engineering aerogels with tailored mechanical, chemical, and surface properties—enabling them to selectively capture, degrade, or recycle a broad spectrum of pollutants (e.g., oils, heavy metals, emerging contaminants). This Research Topic aims to highlight and accelerate progress in transforming aerogels from lab-scale curiosities into deployable environmental solutions. We seek to collect studies and reviews that drive the field towards scalable synthesis routes, life-cycle assessments, hybrid material design strategies, and application-oriented performance evaluation, thus charting a pathway for aerogels to become pivotal in global sustainability efforts.

We welcome Original Research, Review, Mini Review and Perspective articles on themes including, but not limited to:

• Design, synthesis, and functionalization of aerogels for selective sorption and separation
• Structure–property relationships influencing environmental performance
• Mechanically robust or flexible aerogel architectures for field deployment
• Hybrid, composite, or biomimetic aerogels targeting multi-pollutant remediation
• Innovative methods for scaling up aerogel production and deployment
• Environmental and economic assessments of aerogel-based sorbents

We invite contributions detailing breakthroughs in aerogel material science, experimental methodologies, scalability, and practical deployment strategies, as well as critical perspectives on current limitations and future prospects.