Organic aerogels
Organic aerogels, also know as solid air, are polymeric networks with outstanding material properties: Ultralow density, high open porosity, large surface area, and exceptionally low thermal conductivity. Aerogels are employed as lightweight super鈥恑nsulating materials for aerospace applications as well as for more down-to-earth uses in construction and transportation. Additionally, they are used for energy storage and as support structures for catalysis. These polymeric networks are typically prepared from suitable wet gels by replacing the pore鈥恌illing solvent with a supercritical fluid that is subsequently vented off (supercritical drying process).
In this research field, we create the next generation of organic aerogels with superb mechanical, chemical and thermal stability, as well as flame retardancy. Besides optimizing their properties, we also strive to add the term 鈥榬ecyclability鈥� to the definition of high performance aerogels as a core feature. Chemical depolymerization of aerogels represents a scientific challenge as they are highly crosslinked polymeric materials. By introducing cleavable chemical bonds into the polymer network of these materials, we achieve full depolymerization back to the original building blocks under mild conditions. Thereby, we close the recycling loop and create sustainable materials of the future.