🌿 SCARMA – Sustainable Carbon Aerogels for Thermal Management

Mobility Project Romania–Belgium – 2024 Call
Project Code: PN-IV-P8-8.3-PM-RO-BE-2024-0004
Project Acronym: SCARMA
Duration: 22/11/2024 – 31/12/2025
Total Funding: 19,020 lei

Funding acknowledgment:
This work was supported by a grant of the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitization, CCCDI‑UEFISCDI, project number PN‑IV‑P8‑8.3‑PM‑RO‑BE‑2024‑0004, within PNCDI IV.

🏛 Coordinator

National Institute for Research and Development in Electrochemistry and Condensed Matter (INCEMC), Timișoara, Romania

Project Director

CS II Dr. Phys. Florina Ștefania Rus
Research profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Stefania-Rus/research

Project Team – INCEMC

🤝 Partner

Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain)
Louvain School of Engineering
Institute of Information and Communication Technologies, Electronics and Applied Mathematics
Maxwell Building, Place du Levant 3, B‑1348 Louvain‑la‑Neuve, Belgium

Team – UCLouvain

📘 Project Abstract

The bilateral Romania–Belgium project “Sustainable Carbon Aerogels for Thermal Management” developed an innovative methodology for synthesizing multifunctional carbon‑based aerogels using glucose as a renewable precursor and calcium salts as sacrificial agents. Through hydrothermal treatment, in situ conversion of CaCl₂ into calcite, and subsequent impregnation with stearic acid as a phase change material (PCM), a new class of porous composites was obtained.

These materials integrate three essential functions within a single carbon matrix:

Comprehensive characterization confirmed the reproducibility of the synthesis protocol and the structural transformations induced by chemical treatments. The aerogels exhibited tunable porosity, low density, and stable thermal behavior over repeated heating–cooling cycles. Additional tests revealed multifunctionality through water and acidic vapor absorption, highlighting potential applications in filtration and environmental protection.

Economically, these materials can reduce energy consumption for climate control and open pathways for new production lines and technology transfer. Socially, they enhance thermal comfort and indoor air quality. Didactically, the project provided an excellent framework for training students and young researchers in advanced materials science.

🎯 Project Objectives

O1. Completing physico‑chemical characterization

Obtaining additional data on the structural, morphological, and thermal properties of carbon‑based aerogels.

O2. Synthesis and advanced characterization of composite aerogels

Developing high‑performance materials with potential application in thermal insulation, including joint measurements and reciprocal working visits between partners.

🔮 Expected Results

🧪 Novelty and Scientific Contributions

💼 Economic Development Elements

🌍 Economic and Social Impact

🎓 Educational Impact

📊 Project Reporting (Progress / Stages)

📊 Stage 1 – Summary (22/11/2024 – 31/12/2024)

Activity: Working visit to UCLouvain to complete the physico‑chemical characterization of carbon‑based aerogels.
Budget: 6,000 lei

Summary of Results:
During the first stage, seven carbon aerogel samples (A1–A7) were synthesized using glucose–CaCl₂ mixtures with controlled mass ratios. The materials were subjected to hydrothermal treatment followed by drying and multi‑technique characterization (TGA, SEM, FT‑IR, XRD).

o   Representative pictures of samples:

Figure 1. Disc-shaped carbon-based composite foam specimens (≈13 mm in diameter and 5 thick) cut from the bulk foams and prepared for subsequent mechanical, thermal and dehumidification tests.

Key findings include:
• formation of low‑density aerogels with tunable porosity (micrometric to sub‑millimetric)
• confirmation of CaCl₂·6H₂O dehydration and carbon oxidation pathways through TGA
• identification of optimal Glc/CaCl₂ ratios for maximizing pore size and structural stability
• evidence of compositional homogeneity and reproducible synthesis behavior
• preliminary assessment of mechanical integrity and density variation across samples

The joint work with the Belgian team enabled deeper analysis of morphology and thermal behavior, validating the feasibility of producing carbon aerogels suitable for further functionalization. Discussions with UCLouvain researchers highlighted the potential of these materials not only for thermal energy storage but also for electrochemical applications such as supercapacitors.

Outcome: Stage 1 objectives were fully achieved, establishing the experimental foundation for Stage 2, which will focus on composite aerogels and advanced thermal measurements.

Stage 2 – 01/01/2025 – 31/12/2025

Activity: Synthesis and advanced characterization of composite aerogels. Reciprocal visits and joint thermal measurements.
Budget: 11,010 lei
Results: During Stage 2, the project advanced from preliminary carbon aerogels to composite, multifunctional aerogels with controlled porosity and enhanced thermal performance. A total of nine final samples were produced across three experimental series (initial, ammonia‑treated, and post‑treatment), enabling systematic evaluation of structural evolution and functional behavior.

Key achievements:

•         Reproducible synthesis protocol for carbon–calcite composite aerogels using glucose and CaCl₂.

•         Comprehensive multi‑technique characterization (SEM, FTIR, XRD, TG/DTA, mechanical tests).

•         Thermal property mapping (density, thermal conductivity, heat capacity, diffusivity) for Glc/CaCl₂ ratios 1.5, 2 and 4.

•         Successful impregnation with stearic acid (≈85.5% loading), yielding stable phase‑change composites with reproducible melting/solidification cycles.

•         Demonstration of multifunctionality: humidity absorption, reactive filtration of acidic vapors, and thermal energy storage.

•         Strengthened collaboration through joint measurements and reciprocal visits, including Belgian partner visit to Romania.

Here is a polished, publication‑ready English version for the Results section of your project webpage. The tone is formal, concise, and suitable for institutional websites.

Results

The preliminary results obtained within the project have been disseminated at a total of six national and international scientific conferences, including two events in Romania and four abroad, as follows:

  1. Florina Stefania Rus, Cristina Mosoarca, Radu Banica, Green Synthesis of Carbon-Based Aerogels for Sustainable Applications, 5th International Electronic Conference on Applied Sciences, 4–6 December 2024.
  2. Cristina Mosoarca, Radu Banică, Rus Florina-Stefania, Mariana Suba, Hydrothermal Synthesis of Carbon-Based Aerogels, “Stability and Reactivity in Coordination Chemistry – in memoriam Mihail Bîrzescu”, Timișoara, Romania, 22 November 2024.
  3. Cristina Mosoarca, Iosif Hulka, Pavel Șchiopu, Florina S. Rus, Mirela I. Iorga, Radu Bănică, Carbon-Based Aerogels as Support Surfaces for Bacterial Biofilm Growth and for Manufacturing Self-Disinfecting Surfaces, TIM 24 Physics Conference (TIM 24), Timișoara, Romania, 30 May – 1 June 2024.
  4. Cristina Mosoarca, Radu Banica, Nicolae Birsan, Dan Rosu, Rus Florina-Stefania, A Green Route Toward Porous Carbon Aerogels: Insights from Hydrothermal Carbonization Chemistry, “Stability and Reactivity in Coordination Chemistry – in memoriam Mihail Bîrzescu”, 14 November 2025, Timișoara, Romania.
  5. Florina Stefania Rus, Cristina Mosoarca, Nicolae Birsan, Radu Bănică, Pressurized Synthesis of Composite Carbon Foams Based on Calcium Salts, 6th International Electronic Conference on Applied Sciences, 9–11 December 2025, online (MDPI ASEC 2025).
  6. Florina Stefania Rus, Cristina Mosoarca, Mihai Petru Marghitas, Raul Bucur, Dan Rosu, Radu Banica, Advanced Carbon-Based Composite Foams for Enhanced Dehumidification: A Novel Materials Approach, 6th International Electronic Conference on Applied Sciences, 9–11 December 2025, online (MDPI ASEC 2025).

Published Article

This article presents a one‑pot strategy for producing carbon-based composite foams impregnated with calcium chloride (CaCl₂), obtained through the thermal decomposition of glucose under self-induced pressure. The study addresses a major limitation of conventional CaCl₂ desiccants—particle agglomeration and liquid leakage under humid conditions—by embedding the salt within a hydrophilic carbon matrix. The resulting foams exhibit a composite architecture containing CaCl₂ and calcium carbonate, with tunable porosity achieved through selective dissolution.
FTIR analysis confirmed the strong hydrophilicity of the foam walls, enhancing water vapor uptake while preventing leakage of saturated salt solutions. The carbon matrix effectively suppresses salt agglomeration during moisture absorption, leading to high dehumidification efficiency. Beyond water vapor capture, the multifunctional foams also demonstrate potential for volatile acid adsorption and phase‑change applications, making them promising candidates for advanced environmental control materials.

 

📞 Contact

Dr. Florina Ștefania Rus
National Institute for Research and Development in Electrochemistry and Condensed Matter (INCEMC)
Timișoara, Romania