Recyclable and Superelastic PTT Nanofiber Aerogels

ABSTRACT

Aerogels have been widely used for thermal management, and the recycling of such functional materials has attracted significant research interest recently. In this study, we introduced a novel class of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) nanofiber aerogels derived from readily accessible PTT sea‐island fibers via homogenization, freeze‐drying and heat treatment. We found that heating the aerogel below the melting temperature of PTT enabled the formation of chain entanglements at the junctions of nanofibers, thereby enhancing the stability of the nanofiber network. The resultant PTT aerogels exhibited outstanding elasticity (recovering fully after 99% compressive strain), inherent hydrophobicity (a water contact angle of 146°), and low thermal conductivity (0.034 W m ⁻¹  K ⁻¹ ). Furthermore, the aerogel could be redispersed in the solvent to reform the nanofiber dispersion, allowing for reuse in aerogel production in subsequent preparation cycles. This method offers an efficient and straightforward approach for the preparation and recycling of aerogels in a cost‐effective and environmentally friendly process.