Chapter 5: Alginate and Carrageenan Based Aerogels: Processing and Morphology

This chapter presents the processing and morphology of the formation of alginate and carrageenan based aerogels. The two main processes of synthesis are described, diffusion and internal setting. In synthesis by diffusion the gelation occurs through the diffusion of the cross-linking ion into the polysaccharide solution. In synthesis by internal setting the gelation occurs by introduction into the polysaccharide solution of an inert precursor, followed by a controlled release of the cross-linking ion by the appropriate stimulus. For both of these processes, the formation of aerogels, the morphology and textures obtained, and their stability are presented and discussed.