Fire-retarded nanocomposite aerogels for multifunctional applications: A review

As one of the lightest materials in the world, aerogels are widely adapted in heat insulation, electromagnetic interference shielding, oil-water separation, etc. Nevertheless, owing to their high flammability, the application scenarios of aerogels in extreme environments are severely limited. To reduce the intrinsic inflammable properties of aerogels, nanomaterials are commonly incorporated as additives to fabricate flame retardant nanocomposites, which creates a barrier effect and catalytic carbonization capacity. Nonetheless, up-to-date, the multifunctional development of these aerogels has been barely explored. Herein, we systematically summarized the recent progress on multifunctional nanocomposite aerogels based on various nanomaterials with different dimensions. The preparation approaches and performance evaluation of the most common types of aerogels were depicted in detail. Moreover, the investigation of multifunctional aerogels and their prospects were demonstrated, and in-depth discussed. This review work aims to deliver an insight towards further directions and developments of multi-functional flame-retardant aerogels for extended applications in extreme environments.