# Multi-Scale Gradient Fiber Structure Hierarchical Flexible Ceramic Aerogel for High-Temperature Filtration

## TL;DR

A new ceramic aerogel with a gradient fiber structure efficiently filters high-temperature particulate matter without clogging or high resistance.

## Contribution

A hierarchical layered zirconia ceramic fiber aerogel with a multiscale gradient is introduced for high-temperature filtration.

## Key findings

- The aerogel achieves 99.96% filtration efficiency with a low pressure drop of 156 Pa.
- It exhibits high dust-holding capacity (101 g m−2) and maintains efficiency after heat treatment.
- The material shows 80% compressive strain elasticity and thermal stability up to 1000 °C.

## Abstract

High-temperature particulate matter (PM) filtration remains a fundamental challenge, because most fiber filters not only face the challenge of high temperatures but also suffer from an inherent trade-off between capture efficiency, pressure drop, and service life. This paper reports a hierarchical layered zirconia (ZrO2) ceramic fiber aerogel featuring a continuous multiscale gradient. The aerogel was prepared by gradient air-blown spinning, and the resulting structure has directional order, with the fiber diameter gradually decreasing from upstream to downstream, thus forming a pore size gradient and achieving hierarchical particle interception across multiple scales. This rational design simultaneously suppresses surface clogging and reduces flow resistance, resolving the longstanding trade-off between efficiency and permeability. Consequently, this aerogel achieves an ultra-high filtration efficiency of 99.96%, a low pressure drop of 156 Pa, and a high dust-holding capacity of 101 g m−2. The material also exhibits outstanding mechanical toughness (80% compressive strain elasticity and 25.75% tensile fracture strain) and thermal stability up to 1000 °C. Moreover, it maintains over 99.95% filtration efficiency at high temperatures and can be fully regenerated through 800 °C heat treatment. This work establishes a structure-based design paradigm for high-temperature filtration media and provides a scalable pathway for next-generation industrial flue gas purification.