Issue 21, 2025

Shaping nanoparticle-based aerogels for efficient light-driven catalysis

Abstract

Aerogels synthesized from preformed metal oxide nanoparticles exhibit high crystallinity and can be manufactured in transparent form, making them appealing for photo- and photothermal catalysis. To date, translucent nanoparticle-based aerogels are primarily produced in monolithic form by casting techniques, which are labor-intensive and costly, and these centimeter-sized bodies are prone to mass transport limitations when applied in catalysis. Here, we present a simple process to prepare millimeter-sized worm-shaped and spherical aerogel granules with high optical clarity and large specific surface areas ranging from 130 to 550 m2 g−1, using colloidally stable dispersions of TiO2, ZrO2, and In2O3 nanocrystals. These granules are easier to produce and handle, and our Pd/TiO2 aerogel granules demonstrate superior photocatalytic performance in methanol decomposition, achieving nearly complete conversion of 1 mol% methanol in air at high flow rates (space velocity of ∼115 L g−1 h−1). This significant improvement over their monolithic counterparts highlights the potential of aerogel shaping to enhance their viability for practical applications such as the photocatalytic oxidation of volatile organic compounds.

Graphical abstract: Shaping nanoparticle-based aerogels for efficient light-driven catalysis

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
19 Dec 2024
Accepted
03 Mar 2025
First published
04 Mar 2025
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2025,13, 15592-15608

Shaping nanoparticle-based aerogels for efficient light-driven catalysis

F. Matter, D. Kiwic, M. Bernet, E. Tervoort and M. Niederberger, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2025, 13, 15592 DOI: 10.1039/D4TA09013F

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