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A novel, multi-functional aerogel with potential to address environmental challenges like wastewater treatment, industrial pollution and oil-water spills has been developed by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati. The gels are ultra-lightweight, highly porous materials with a large surface area and exceptional adsorption properties, making them ideal for a wide range of environmental and industrial applications.
The team developed a hybrid aerogel by combining MXene – a two-dimensional material known for its high conductivity and chemical reactivity – with carbon foam. By introducing phosphorus doping into the MXene framework, the researchers significantly improved its PMS activation capability, enabling the efficient breakdown of persistent organic pollutants in wastewater.
Beyond wastewater treatment, the aerogel also exhibited excellent performance in oil-water separation. Its porous architecture selectively absorbs oil while repelling water, making it highly effective for cleaning up oil spills and treating industrial effluents. The product also functions as a flexible strain sensor, its electrical resistance changes in response to mechanical stress, opening applications in wearable electronics, smart devices, and structural health monitoring systems.
