Aerogel Inspired Materials: from molecular routes to nanoparticle-based gels

This work deals with design, production, characterisation and application of highly porous functional materials in the form of aerogels and aerogel-like materials. The investigated systems range from carbon-silica composites, to all-inorganic porous gels made out of nanocrystalline building blocks. The fabrication of multicomponent porous gels was addressed by two approaches: i) cogelation of molecular precursors; and ii) self-assembly of preformed nanostructures. Composite solids with different porous structures such as aero-, cryo-, and xerogels were produced and investigated using multitechnique characterisation approach to elucidate the key microstructural, textural, and surface properties. The functional properties of the materials were tested for applications such as photoluminescence, water remediation and bio-medicine.