Novel Absorbent Materials Created via Ice Templating

Ice-templated aerogels made from water soluble/dispersible raw materials are formed through an environmentally friendly freeze-drying process. The structures that result from ice templating are capable of absorbing liquids into their large void volume. The effects of polymer chemistry and material loading on the absorption into the dried materials are studied. Low-density samples were able to absorb liquids rapidly but the liquid-saturated structures lacked mechanical integrity. The higher-density samples absorbed liquids more slowly and again retained little structural integrity. The addition of fibers and firing of low-density clay aerogels into ceramics provide multiple routes to creating structures exhibiting rapid absorption and a rigid, stable structure when saturated.