Abstract: This study developed bio-aerogels with highly ordered porous structures using gelatin as a raw material, prepared through the ice-templating method, to improve the material's fire resistance, thermal insulation, and mechanical properties. Through a series of characterization tests, the effects of gelatin content and freezing time on the microstructure and properties of gelatin aerogels were experimentally investigated. The results show that when the directional freezing time is 20 minutes and the gelatin mass fraction is 1.8%, the mechanical properties, fire resistance, and thermal insulation performance of the gelatin aerogel are significantly improved, with a compressive strength of 0.28 MPa at 50% strain, a thermal conductivity as low as 0.029 W/(m·K), a UL-94 rating of V-0, and a limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of 31.44%.

Key words: biomaterials, aerogel, ice templating method, fire retardant and heat insulation, mechanical properties