Synthesis and biomedical applications of aerogels: Possibilities and challenges.
Aerogels are an exceptional group of nanoporous materials with outstanding physicochemical properties. Due to their unique physical, chemical, and mechanical properties, aerogels are recognized as promising candidates for diverse applications including, thermal insulation, catalysis, environmental cleaning up, chemical sensors, acoustic transducers, energy storage devices, metal casting molds and water repellant coatings. Here, we have provided a comprehensive overview on the synthesis, processing and drying methods of the mostly investigated types of aerogels used in the biological and biomedical contexts, including silica aerogels, silica-polymer composites, polymeric and biopolymer aerogels. In addition, the very recent challenges on these aerogels with regard to their applicability in biomedical field as well as for personalized medicine applications are considered and explained in detail.
CIEPQPF, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, Rua Sílvio Lima, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal. Electronic address: hajar@eq.uc.pt.
Hajar
H
Maleki
CIEPQPF, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, Rua Sílvio Lima, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal.
Luisa
L
Durães
Departamento de Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Campus Vida, s/n, E-15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
Carlos A
CA
García-González
Department of Pharmacy (DIFARMA), University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, Fisciano, SA 84084, Italy.
Pasquale
P
Del Gaudio
CIEPQPF, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, Rua Sílvio Lima, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal.
António
A
Portugal
Nanotechnology Research Center and Department of Nanotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States. Electronic address: mmahmoudi@bwh.harvard.edu.
Morteza
M
Mahmoudi
D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry*; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D050997:Nanomedicine / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000648:ultrastructure; D044367:Phase Transition; D016062:Porosity; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods
D005782:Gels; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D002482:Cellulose
Aerogels; Biomedical applications; Nanomedicine; Nanoporous materials