CHAPTER 12: Incorporation of Drugs and Metals into Aerogels Using Supercritical Fluids

The latest research on supercritical impregnation of drugs and metallic compounds, using either inorganic or organic aerogels as carriers, is presented in this book chapter. The factors influencing the final loadings are investigated in detail. Supercritical impregnation is a promising technique with great potential for the preparation of new polymeric systems. This includes both variations, impregnation of either drugs or metallic compounds into aerogels. When it comes to the impregnation of metallic compounds, an additional step is required – the reduction of the metallic precursor to its metal form. This explains why this method is usually named the supercritical fluid deposition method. Both supercritical impregnation and supercritical fluid deposition have attracted great attention. Nanoscale composite materials are attractive materials for a wide range of applications. Therefore, these techniques are seen as competitive, alternative techniques to conventional methods.