Hierarchically Structured M13 Phage Aerogel for Enhanced Sound‐Absorption.

Aerogels are a novel type of open‐cell porous material. They are particularly suitable for passive sound‐absorption due to their high porosity and high‐surface areas of the internal structures, but with the drawbacks of limited absorption rate of low‐frequency sound and poor mechanical performance. Here, it is first demonstrated that the M13 phage aerogel(M13AG) with hierarchically porous and ribbing structures is beneficial to sound‐absorption and the local piezoelectric effect attributed to M13 phages can further improve the sound‐absorption ability in the low‐frequency. The sound‐absorption coefficient of the M13AG with thickness of 20 mm attains peak value of 0.992 at 1600 Hz. In addition, the M13AG is assembled on a metallic foam framework to enhance its mechanical performance. The resulting M13AG/nickel foam exhibits enhanced compressive yield strength up to 0.14 MPa. This study opens up a new opportunity for passive sound‐absorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]