Biobased aerogels

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Bio-aerogels are one of the classes of aerogel materials that exhibit open porous nanofibrillar network. They can be produced by Sol-Gel synthesis. In this process, the Bio-polymers are dissolved in a solvent followed by self-assemblies/aggregations of polymer chains into entangled/cross-linked nano-network. Alginate, Cellulose, Chitosan and their composite derivatives can be prepared on a larger scale in particles form either by emulsion or Jet-Cutter techniques. In order to produce open porous aerogels, the wet gels has to undergo an exchange of pore liquid (if necessary) and subsequently supercritical drying with carbon dioxide.

Bio-aerogels possess amazing properties such as high porosities (>90 %), very low density, high specific surface area (200-500 m²/g).

Porous properties, high specific surface area and chemical functionalities of Bio-aerogels enable thier use as carrier materials for different applications. Since Bio-aerogel particles are produced from renewable resources, they can be utilized in applications such as sadvanced food materials or as carriers for drug delivery. Further, applications such as separation techniques, thermal insulations and supporting materials in catalysis are under development.

The goal of the EU project “NanoHybrids – New generation of nanoporous organic and hybrid aerogels for industrial applications: from the lab to pilot scale production” is to develop a pilot-scale production system for novel aerogels and test potential industrial applications. It is funded under Horizon 2020, the biggest EU research and innovation programme, as one of a series of projects charged with bridging the gap between nanotechnology research, pilot-scale production and markets. The Institute of Thermal Separation Processes led by Professor Smirnova and coordinates the project.

In addition to TUHH (Institute of Thermal Separation Processes), the project involves well-known industry partners and research institutes, in particular BASF Polyurethanes GmbH, Dräger Safety AG & Co. KGaA, Nestlé and the German Aerospace Center (DLR Cologne). The project brings together a total of 12 international partners.

NanoHybrids started on 1 November 2015 and will end on 30 April 2019. It aimed at producing a new generation of nanoporous organic aerogels with multiple functions. These find application in a wide range of industrial sectors such as gas and humidity adsorption, personal care and in food. However, to realise this exploitation, the manufacturing process time needs to be reduced and made more stable. The key to this is the ability to produce organic aerogel particles in defined form and in sufficient quantity. The challenge is to ensure the high porosity and internal pore size distribution of the particles in order to provide the structural properties needed for the targeted applications.

NanoHybrids aimed to establish technology to produce organic aerogel particles in industrial quantities. The aerogels produced in this way were used for building and testing prototypes for different applications. In June 2017, the first pilot plant capable of producing organic aerogels in particle form on an industrial scale of 50L was commissioned at the Institute of Thermal Separation Processes at TUHH.
For interested companies and academic groups samples of aerogels in form of particles of different sizes can be produced (up to several liters).

TUHH
Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) was established in 1978 in the south of the city as an independent university specialized in the core disciplines of “classical” engineering. First-class teaching, application-oriented and basic research at a high international level, and intensive knowledge and technology transfer characterize its principal tasks and goals. The TUHH’s founding principles – research priority, interdisciplinarity, innovation, regionality, and internationality – continue to be the binding basics for its future development.

Horizon 2020 is the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. The goal of the funding programme is to build a science and innovation-based society and a competitive economy throughout the EU while contributing to sustainable development.