Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry
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Topic Functional Aerogels for Medical Applications
Supervisor Abdelmohsen Abdellatif, Ph.D.
Department Nanostructured Polymers and Composites
Description Functional aerogels (FA) will be fabricated employing self-assembly of oxidized chitin and chitosan-glucan nanowhiskers with prevailing functionalization. The processing way will allow the self-assembly of regular hierarchical aerogel structures with specific structure-derived functions. Aerogel fabrication, in-situ nanoparticle synthesis and functionalization will be for the first time done in a single processing step. By optimizing the extraction way, the dimensionality of NWs and the drying process, advanced anisotropic aerogel exhibiting enhancement of mechanical properties (stiffness, strength) with controlled physicochemical properties will be obtained. Different functional properties will be introduced by electing functional in-situ NPs fabrications and hybridizations of aerogel surfaces, such as thermal insulation, super absorption, hydrophobicity, and high separation efficiency. The new FA can be used in different high-impact fields such as separation, air filtration, healthcare products, and tissue engineering
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