Evaluation of dysprosia aerogels as drug delivery systems: a comparative study with random and ordered mesoporous silicas.

Biocompatible dysprosia aerogels were synthesized from DyCl3·6H2O and were reinforced mechanically with a conformal nano-thin-polyurea coating applied over their skeletal framework. The random mesoporous space of dysprosia aerogels was filled up to about 30% v/v with paracetamol, indomethacin, or insulin, and the drug release rate was monitored spectrophotometrically in phosphate buffer (pH = 7.4) or 0.

One-pot synthesis of interpenetrating inorganic/organic networks of CuO/resorcinol-formaldehyde aerogels: nanostructured energetic materials.

For many applications ranging from catalysis to sensors to energetic materials, it is desirable to produce intimate mixtures of nanoparticles. For instance, to improve the reaction rates of energetic materials, the oxidizing agent and the fuel need to be mixed as intimately as possible, ideally at the nanoscopic level. In this context, the acidity of a hydrated CuCl(2) solution reacting toward a network of CuO nanoparticles (a good oxidant) is used to induce one-pot cogelation of a nanostructured network of a resorcinol-formaldehyde resin (RF, the fuel).