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3D layered–network Al₂O₃ aerogel–melamine foam composite aerogel for synergistic thermal insulation, cyclic compressibility, and selective oil transport.

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	3D layered–network Al₂O₃ aerogel–melamine foam composite aerogel for synergistic thermal insulation, cyclic compressibility, and selective oil transport.
Authors:	Luo, Da¹ (AUTHOR), Lu, Xiangyou¹ (AUTHOR) gaoyunwansu@ahjzu.edu.cn, Wang, Haojie¹ (AUTHOR), Ma, Shaoyang¹ (AUTHOR), Xie, Yuanlai² (AUTHOR), Wang, Jinjin¹ (AUTHOR), Wang, Guorui¹ (AUTHOR)
Source:	Colloids & Surfaces A: Physicochemical & Engineering Aspects. Jul2026, Vol. 741, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p.
Subjects:	Thermal insulation, Composite materials, Porosity, Compressibility, Porous materials, Aerogels, Superhydrophobic surfaces
Abstract:	High-porosity compressible porous media are attractive for high-temperature insulation and oily wastewater treatment. Yet, conventional aerogels and foams rarely reconcile low thermal conductivity, mechanical robustness, and efficient liquid transport. Here, melamine foam (MF) is used as a 3D scaffold to construct a membrane-bridged network via vacuum impregnation with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-Na), followed by freezing and freeze-drying. By incorporating Al₂O₃ aerogel particles, a hierarchical layered–network architecture is formed, and surface wettability is further tuned to hydrophobic/oleophilic through methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) vapor deposition. The Al₂O₃-enabled composite (PCAM) exhibits enhanced thermal stability, with the 800 °C residue increasing to 18.74% compared with 3.61% (MF) and 5.66% (PCM). PCAM-1.5 delivers a compressive stress of 52 kPa at 50% strain (12 kPa for MF, 31 kPa for PCM) and maintains high load-bearing capability after 50 cycles. In a 300 °C hot-plate test (10 min), PCAM-1.5 exhibits the lowest cold-side temperature (82 °C) and a low thermal conductivity (0.035 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹), suggesting suppressed heat transfer due to multi-interface thermal resistance and tortuous pathways. Benefiting from high porosity (about 97%) and a superhydrophobic surface (WCA 152°), PCAM-1.5 achieves oil adsorption capacities of 14.9–35.97 g·g⁻¹ and enables efficient oil–water separation (98% for CCl₄) with a high permeation flux of 7200 L·m⁻²·h⁻¹ , retaining 95% flux after eight cycles. [Display omitted] • Al 2 O 3 aerogel and the MF/PVA/CMC-Na network build a robust 3D layered structure. • Al 2 O 3 aerogel improves thermal stability and residual structural integrity at high temperature. • The layered framework enhances load bearing, compressive resilience, and fatigue resistance. • Interfacial resistance and tortuous pathways reduce solid conduction and convective heat transfer. • The composite exhibits efficient oil adsorption and recyclable oil-water separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
	Copyright of Colloids & Surfaces A: Physicochemical & Engineering Aspects is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database:	Engineering Source

Description
Abstract:	High-porosity compressible porous media are attractive for high-temperature insulation and oily wastewater treatment. Yet, conventional aerogels and foams rarely reconcile low thermal conductivity, mechanical robustness, and efficient liquid transport. Here, melamine foam (MF) is used as a 3D scaffold to construct a membrane-bridged network via vacuum impregnation with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-Na), followed by freezing and freeze-drying. By incorporating Al₂O₃ aerogel particles, a hierarchical layered–network architecture is formed, and surface wettability is further tuned to hydrophobic/oleophilic through methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) vapor deposition. The Al₂O₃-enabled composite (PCAM) exhibits enhanced thermal stability, with the 800 °C residue increasing to 18.74% compared with 3.61% (MF) and 5.66% (PCM). PCAM-1.5 delivers a compressive stress of 52 kPa at 50% strain (12 kPa for MF, 31 kPa for PCM) and maintains high load-bearing capability after 50 cycles. In a 300 °C hot-plate test (10 min), PCAM-1.5 exhibits the lowest cold-side temperature (82 °C) and a low thermal conductivity (0.035 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹), suggesting suppressed heat transfer due to multi-interface thermal resistance and tortuous pathways. Benefiting from high porosity (about 97%) and a superhydrophobic surface (WCA 152°), PCAM-1.5 achieves oil adsorption capacities of 14.9–35.97 g·g⁻¹ and enables efficient oil–water separation (98% for CCl₄) with a high permeation flux of 7200 L·m⁻²·h⁻¹ , retaining 95% flux after eight cycles. [Display omitted] • Al 2 O 3 aerogel and the MF/PVA/CMC-Na network build a robust 3D layered structure. • Al 2 O 3 aerogel improves thermal stability and residual structural integrity at high temperature. • The layered framework enhances load bearing, compressive resilience, and fatigue resistance. • Interfacial resistance and tortuous pathways reduce solid conduction and convective heat transfer. • The composite exhibits efficient oil adsorption and recyclable oil-water separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	09277757
DOI:	10.1016/j.colsurfa.2026.140251