An indole-based aerogel for enhanced removal of heavy metals from water <i>via</i> the synergistic effects of complexation and cation–π interactions

Abstract

A novel indole-based aerogel (4-HIFA) has been obtained by the condensation of 4-hydroxyindole and formaldehyde <italic>via</italic> sol–gel technology, which proceeds easily by acid catalysis in one pot.