Aerogels are predominantly mesoporous, extremely lightweight, low density (∼ 0.003 g/cm³) and thermally insulating materials. Over the years, aerogels have gained increasing attention due to their extraordinary properties (light, heat, sound, electricity and force) and application potentials in varieties of fields. Several studies have been carried out regarding aerogel preparation and its applications in coatings on different substrates. In this review, an overview of aerogels preparation and their application progress in coatings of most common substrates is presented. Attention is paid to aerogel coatings of textiles, leather, and substrates other than leather and textiles for special functionalities that could address the application progress in coatings. This review will help to inspire scientists and engineers towards novel aerogel materials and technologies to boost the industrial fabrication of flexible advanced materials.

High-performance chrome-free leather production is currently one of the most concerning needs to warrant the sustainable development of the leather industry due to the serious chrome pollution. Driven by these research challenges, this work explores using biobased polymeric dyes (BPDs) based on dialdehyde starch and reactive small-molecule dye (reactive red 180, RD-180) as novel dyeing agents for leather tanned using a chrome-free, biomass-derived aldehyde tanning agent (BAT). FTIR, ¹H NMR, XPS, and UV-visible spectrometry analyses indicated that a Schiff base structure was generated between the aldehyde group of dialdehyde starch (DST) and the amino group of RD-180, resulting in the successful load of RD-180 on DST to produce BPD. The BPD could first penetrate the BAT-tanned leather efficiently and then be deposited on the leather matrix, thus exhibiting a high uptake ratio. Compared with the crust leathers prepared using a conventional anionic dye (CAD), dyeing, and RD-180 dyeing, the BPD-dyed crust leather not only had better coloring uniformity and fastness but it also showed a higher tensile strength, elongation at break, and fullness. These data suggest that BPD has the potential to be used as a novel sustainable polymeric dye for the high-performance dyeing of organically tanned chrome-free leather, which is paramount to ensuring and promoting the sustainable development of the leather industry.

As consumers prioritize safer and more sustainable skincare ingredients, the traditional facial mask industry faces challenges due to the use of non-biodegradable materials and chemical preservatives that irritate the skin and harm the environment. In the present investigation, an innovative all-biomass solid facial mask was developed using electrospinning technology to incorporate naturally effective ingredients into bio-based fibers made of gelatin and pullulan polysaccharide. This process produced a nanofiber-based, fast-dissolving facial mask with essence uniformly embedded throughout the fibers. Unlike traditional facial masks that rely on preservatives, this solid mask avoids their use while offering excellent water and moisture retention. Owing to its nanostructured architecture and water-soluble fiber materials, it dissolves completely in water within just 7 s. Yak skin collagen peptides incorporated into the nanofiber film demonstrated strong antioxidant activity, scavenging 88.3% of DPPH free radicals. Biocompatibility testing combined with animal skin and eye irritation testing further confirmed the safety of the facial mask. This innovative approach not only supports the sustainable development of environment and resources but also delivers safer, more effective skincare solutions for consumers. Graphical Abstract