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The high production cost and extremely weak mechanical properties of SiO 2 aerogels have been two major challenges hindering its widespread application. Atmospheric pressure drying (APD) has always been regarded as the optimal process to reduce costs. However, traditional APD is cumbersome, still uses a large amount of expensive raw materials, and is extremely immature. In this study, a novel APD was developed, inspired by the wing changes during adult damselfly process. Inorganic silica source/water was used as the raw material, and CO 2 was used instead of low surface tension solvent to stabilize the aerogel skeleton structure in situ, and ultimately aerogel material was obtained. The thermal conductivity of pure aerogels was as low as 0.0264 W/(m·K), the porosity reached 94.7 %, and the preparation cycle was only 28.5 h. The thermal stability of the skeleton structure and the chemical stability of surface were investigated and showed the hydrophobicity to withstand temperatures up to 400 °C. Aerogel composites feature low thermal conductivity of 0.0283 W/(m·K), and prominent thermal insulation properties over a wide temperature range of 50–300 °C. For traditional APD, this method shortens preparation cycle by 1–6 times. Compared with the commercial aerogel, the cost is reduced by 38.2 %, and the process is simple and environmentally friendly under the premise of ensuring excellent performance. [Display omitted] • A novel atmospheric pressure drying of aerogels preparation inspired by biology. • Stabilization of aerogel structures with CO 2 instead of low surface tension solvents. • The preparation cycle time is shortened by 1–6 times, the cost is reduced by 38.2 %. • Thermal conductivity of 0.0264 W/(m·K) and hydrophobic temperature resistance of 400 °C. • Aerogel composites have outstanding thermal insulation and moisture resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceramic aerogels are promising candidates for high-temperature thermal resistance and thermal insulation materials. However, their application can be restricted by their brittleness when exposed to harsh conditions. Herein, this study has developed a novel synthesis process based on a sol-gel method and carbothermal reduction-nitridation to produce a porous TiN composite aerogel from an organic/inorganic hybrid. The resulting TiN displays a polyhedral particle size of around 30–60 nm with nanoscale pores. In addition, the TiN aerogel demonstrates a high BET-specific surface area of 653.42 m2/g and a very low thermal conductivity of 0.046 W/(m·K). Furthermore, the TiN aerogel composite displays a good thermal difference with no shrinkage and cracks of the morphology during the butane blazing torch at 1300 °C for 10 min under air environment, demonstrating its excellent thermal insulation property and anti-oxidation characteristics. The gas-solid reaction mechanism of TiN aerogel based on the Gibbs free energy calculations is also proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lightweight phenolic matrix composites are highly potential in ablative thermal protective materials for future aerospace vehicles, and hybrid modification is considered as one of effective ways to improve the oxidation and ablation resistance of phenolic matrix. Herein, the co-continuous silica zirconium hybrid phenolic resin (SZRx) was synthesized, which can be used to prepare lightweight ablation resistant aerogel composites by the sol-gel method. The SZRx aerogel showed stable porous structure and excellent hydrophobicity, and the silicon zirconium hybrid greatly improved the high temperature carbon residue and oxidation resistance of phenolic resin. The SZRx aerogel composites also possessed excellent integrated characteristics of heat protection and insulation, with a linear ablation rate as low as 0.032 mm/s and a back temperature below 200 °C. The synergistic effect of silicon and zirconium formed the multiphase ceramic layer (C, SiO 2 , SiC and ZrO 2) with the sea-island-like structure on the surface of the composite material, which can effectively resist high-temperature ablation and aerodynamic exfoliation. This can indicate that silicon zirconium dual element hybrid phenolic resin is the highly competitive matrix for lightweight and ablation resistant composite materials. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible SiC nanowire aerogel felt has excellent foldability, high-temperature resistance, and thermal insulation properties. However, the large-scale and high-efficiency production of SiC nanofiber aerogel felt remains a challenge. In this work, a three-dimensional network-structured short-chopped carbon fiber felt was used as a template for preparing SiC nanowire aerogel felt. The short-chopped carbon fibers were combed and dispersed using an airflow in a carding machine to obtain the desired felt. This method enables rapid and uniform preparation of carbon fiber felt, enhancing the efficiency of SiC nanowire aerogel felt production. The experimental results showed that the aerogel felt was mainly composed of β-SiC nanowires with a density of 5.29 g/cm3. Additionally, the SiC nanofiber aerogel felt exhibited remarkable superelasticity and low thermal conductivity (0.013 W/m·K). This research contributes to the practical application of flexible SiC nanowire aerogel felt in the field of thermal insulation. • Carding machine dispersed carbon fiber. • Fabrication of large size SiC nanofiber aerogel felt. • SiC nanofiber aerogel felt has flexibility and low thermal conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lightweight ablative materials owing to their low density, high efficiency heat insulation and excellent designability, which are considered as the most promising candidate materials in the field of aerospace ablative thermal protection. In this work, a polycarbosilane (PCS) in-situ reinforced carbon felt/phenolic (PR/C f) aerogel composite is reported. The surface of aerogel and carbon fiber was coated with PCS protective layer by sol gel method and secondary vacuum impregnation process. The aerogel composite material possesses low density (0.264–0.307 g/cm3), hydrophobic, low thermal conductivity (0.121–0.178 W/(m·K)) and significant high compressive strength (12.89 MPa). When the oxygen acetylene flame with high heat flow density ablates for 20 s, it shows high efficiency in heat protection and insulation, and the linear ablation rate is as low as 0.089 mm/s. The PL/PR/C f aerogel composite shows competitive and broad application prospects in the field of ablation heat protection in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated the tunable porous structure of SiCN(O)-derived ceramic aerogels by changing the molecular structure of the polysilazanes from linear to branched. We also studied the effect of molecular structure on the thermal insulation properties of ceramic aerogels. As the percentage of branched molecular structure in the polysilazane precursor increased, the internal microscopic pore structure of the aerogels changed from macroporous to mesoporous. The specific surface areas and pore volumes of the ceramic aerogels prepared with different precursors increased after pyrolysis at 1000 °C, ranging from 3.7 to 255.9 m2/g and 0.01–0.36 cm3/g, respectively. The corresponding thermal conductivities increased slightly as the aerogels contracted after pyrolysis. The low thermal conductivity (0.046 W/(m·K) at minimum) can be attributed to the decrease in pore size caused by adjusting the precursor structure, which limits the thermal conduction of gas in the porous aerogel materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-performance thermally insulating aerogel with low density, high porosity, and low thermal conductivity characteristics was widely used in heat insulation. However, the large-scale application of aerogel was still limited by its brittleness and infrared radiation transparency at high-temperature. Fiber composite aerogel had achieved significant progress, but its anti-oxidation ability was poor, and its thermal insulation required further improvement at ultra-high temperatures. Herein, inspired by the structure of elytra, nanoparticle fiber (NF) was prepared by electrospinning of coaxial fiber loaded with opacifier and antioxidant nanoparticles. The NF was incorporated into the SiBCN aerogel to prepare NF/SiBCN ceramic fiber aerogel. The mechanical properties were improved by fiber networks. The shell structure increased the antioxidant properties. Heat conduction and heat convection were suppressed by the aerogel, while heat radiation was reduced by the coaxial fiber. The results showed that the ceramic fiber aerogel exhibited superior mechanical, antioxidant, and ultra-low thermal conductivity properties. • A novel 'particle/fiber/aerogel' composites were constructed for thermal insulation. • The composites exhibited fire resistance and ultralow thermal conductivity at 1300 °C. • The composites had low density and excellent mechanical properties. • Coaxial fiber had self-healing and anti-oxidation properties at ultra-high temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal camouflage is one of the most effective ways to guarantee the security and survival of military objects against infrared (IR) detectors. However, with the rapid development of IR detection technology, the IR thermal camouflage of objects and weapons has become more and more difficult, and advanced thermal camouflage materials are urgently needed to meet the demands of warfare. So far, two dimensional (2D) nanomaterials have demonstrated excellent performances with low IR emissivity, optoelectronic tunability, and compatible stealth capabilities. Among them, graphene and MXenes are the most attractive 2D materials used for thermal camouflage applications. Here we present a review of recent progress on the thermal camouflage properties of graphene and Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene in the form of composite film, microcapsule and aerogel structures, a summary of current understanding of the working principle of thermal camouflage materials, and current limitations and future opportunities in graphene and Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene research and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Flexible and ultralight block-copolymerized PIAs were prepared by copolymerization modification. • PIA exhibits outstanding mechanical properties and excellent thermal protection ability. • The tensile strengths of P 1 B 3 –PIA and P 0 B 1 –PIA are as high as 17.633 MPa and 12.852 MPa, respectively. • PIA has an ultra-low thermal conductivity of 15.1 mW·m−1 K−1 and a low drying shrinkage of 4.323 %. Polyimide aerogels (PIAs) have garnered considerable attention for thermal protection owing to their outstanding high-temperature resistance, wide operational-temperature range, and flexibility. However, their flexibility improvement, drying-shrinkage reduction, and thermal-insulation and mechanical-property enhancements still remain research hotspots. Herein, flexible copolymer PIAs were synthesized via copolymerization modification–chemical imidization, which exhibited outstanding mechanical properties, ultralow dry shrinkage, and highly efficient thermal insulation. By taking full advantage of the comonomer 3,3′,4,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride has a rotatable single bond and increases a high free volume of the involved chain, the PIAs achieves a notable transition from brittleness to high flexibility. Results demonstrate that the 5 %-weight-loss temperature of the PIAs is up to 512.6 °C in air and that their thermal conductivity is as low as 15.1 mW·m−1 K−1. Concurrently, the interactions among the involved nanochain segments contribute to the formation of a three-dimensional network structure with high nodal connectivity and robust crosslinking, enhancing the PIA mechanical strength, with the tensile strength and modulus being 17.633 and 468.41 MPa, respectively. Further, the synthesized PIAs exhibit a low density of 0.079 g/cm3 and low drying shrinkage of 4.323 %. Overall, this research introduces a novel method for developing flexible, low-shrinkage polymer materials with excellent thermal insulation and mechanical properties, exhibiting vast potential for application in aerospace exploration efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an urgent need for developing "low-carbon" synthesis technology to prepare aerogel composites with both high mechanical strength and efficient thermal insulation for applications of modern aerospace and energy saving. Herein, we propose a strategy for fabricating lightweight phenolic aerogel composites with thick-united connected nano-structure and good aerogel-fiber interfacial compatibility. The specific micro-nano structure and optimized material synergism endow the aerogel composites with an ultrahigh tensile strength (12.84 ± 0.64 MPa), bending strength (24.69 ± 1.96 MPa) and compressive strength (1.7 ± 0.053 MPa under 5 % strain), as well as low thermal conductivity (0.0541 ± 0.0003 W/(m·K)). The aerogel composites behave excellent ablation-resistance under the flame of 1200 °C within 30 min and maintain a cold-side temperature of 56.07 °C without any shape change. The rigid-flexible comminated aerogel composites open up a new technical track for developing lightweight thermal protective composites with high strength, toughness, and efficient thermal insulation demanded in extreme environments. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel polymerization-regulated strategy was proposed to realize the preparation of PI aerogel films. • The PI aerogel films exhibited high tensile strength and modulus of 11.7 MPa and 410 MPa, respectively. • The tensile failure process of the aerogel film was simulated by an improved finite element model. • The PI aerogel films possessed highly efficient thermal insulation at −130 to 300 °C. • The PI aerogel films exhibited high strength, high toughness, heat insulation, and high hydrophobicity. The development of flexible and foldable aerogels for thermal protection in harsh environments has been a long-term challenge as high porosity and weak interface connection can result in typical brittleness. Herein, a remarkable polymerization-regulated strategy was proposed to prepare polyimide (PI) aerogel films with high flexibility and efficient thermal insulation in extreme temperatures by using a facile phase-separation (PS-PI films) method. The polymerization degree of monomers was innovatively used to regulate the flexibility and mechanical properties of PS-PI films by slightly regulating the proportion of monomers. The results showed that the PI aerogel film realized the transition from brittleness to high flexibility, and the tensile strength and fracture strain of PS-PI films were increased by 3 times (11.7 MPa) and 4 times (18.7 %), respectively. Besides, a finite element model was established to analyze the tensile deformation process, revealing the destruction mechanism of aerogel film. The prepared PS-PI film also exhibited robust mechanical properties and efficient thermal insulation properties at extreme temperatures (−130 to 300 °C). The developed PS-PI film possessed high flexibility and efficient thermal-insulated performance at extreme temperatures, which could be a potential candidate for thermal protection in aerospace, energy, and buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Proposed process and scheme for in situ thermal conversion of boron oxide-modified polyimide aerogel materials. • Prepared PI/B aerogels have low thermal conductivity (0.03891 W/(m·K)) and a temperature of 592.4 °C at 5 % weight loss. • PI/B aerogels maintain resilience while increasing mechanical strength. Thermal insulation and energy saving materials play an important role in promoting the rational use of energy and realizing sustainable development. In this paper, reticulated crosslinked polyimide aerogels were made by depositing boron oxide particles formed by the introduction of boric acid transformation on the aerogel structure through an in situ thermal transformation process. The results show that the boric acid was homogeneously mixed with the precursor polyamic acid solution, leading to the uniform dispersion of boron oxide within the aerogel framework. Compared with pure polyimide aerogels, the composite aerogels dopped with boron oxide show excellent mechanical properties and thermal stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Designing an ultra-light and controllable structure for multifunctionality of low-cost aerogels is of great significance but remains a huge challenge because of the limitations of structural processability and mechanical vulnerability. Herein, we demonstrated a facile approach to synthesize a low-cost, ultralight, elastic, and highly recyclable superabsorbent from renewable fibers via environmentally friendly physical bonding and freeze-drying. Our approach introduces skin-core structure polyester (SPFs) into natural agriculture plant kapok, through which fibers entanglement and bonding to construct aerogel with adjustable hierarchical structure and desirable shapes. The resultant composite aerogel can be easily modified by organosilane, demonstrating durable superhydrophobicity (158.5°), advanced absorption capacity (128.4 g/g), good mechanical performance, self-cleaning, and thermal insulating (0.020 W/(m·K)). Therefore, the sustainable and multifunctional composite fibrous porous aerogels are potential materials for oil absorption applications and thermal management. [Display omitted] • An multifunctionality and economical aerogel was achieved. • A porous structure was constructed via natural fibers entanglement and bonding. • The introduction of skin-core structure polyester resulted in a better formability. • The aerogel exhibited advanced absorption capacity and thermal insulation property. • Excellent reusability and sustainability of recycled aerogel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rational and effective fabrication of multicomponent materials, coupled with innovative microstructure design, remains a formidable challenge in achieving efficient electromagnetic wave absorption (EMA) behaviors to meet the requirement of rapid advances in electronics. Herein, a three-dimensional (3D) hierarchically porous Fe 3 O 4 /SiO 2 /Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene/rGO (FSMRG) aerogels were obtained via a directional freeze-drying and subsequent thermal reduction strategy. It has been found that with the filling ratio of 5 wt%, the ultralight FSMRG-2 aerogel (7.42 mg cm−3) exhibits optimal EMA performances with a minimum reflection loss (RL min) of −76.6 dB, and the corresponding maximal effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) is up to 5.36 GHz covering the frequency ranges from 12.48 GHz to 17.84 GHz. The outstanding EMA performances of FSMRG-2 aerogel can be attributed to the synergy effects from the multicomponent interfacial polarization, multiple loss pathways and favorable impedance matching as evidenced with the electromagnetic parameter analysis. In addition, the FSMRG-2 aerogel also displays excellent hydrophobicity and thermal insulation capabilities, rendering them suitable for application in complicated environments characterized by humid and high-temperature conditions. Therefore, this study presents a reliable and facile strategy for the precise construction of lightweight, efficient and multifunctional EMA materials. [Display omitted] • A unique 3D hierarchically porous FSMRG aerogels are fabricated. • The FSMRG-2 aerogel exhibits a RL min of −76.6 dB and a maximum EAB of 5.36 GHz. • The FSMRG aerogels display excellent multifunctional features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible pressure sensors embody outstanding mechanical and sensing performance, particularly in the fields of personal health monitoring and artificial intelligence, while catering to multifunctional applications resilient against harsh weather conditions. Among these, Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene-based aerogel materials with high surface area and excellent conductivity have attracted a lot of attention. However, there are big challenges in improving the mechanical properties at low densities and designing multi-level pore structures. Herein, the prepared silane monomers (MP) are firstly synthesized by 3-(Trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate (MPTES) and polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA), then polydopamine-modified silicon dioxide (PDA-SiO 2) nanofibers employed with MXene nanosheets form covalent cross-linking nanofiber aerogels. The multi-level stable structure improves both mechanical strength and elasticity. The assembled MXene/MP/PDA-SiO 2 pressure sensors exhibit a high sensitivity of −0.83 kPa−1, a rapid response time of 48 ms, a minimum 1 % strain detection limit, and reliable stability over 10,000 cycles. Furthermore, these sensors can be used for human motion detection and health diagnostics, and show good personal thermal management performance. This work holds a promising candidate for the next generation of multifunctional flexible electronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aerogels are excellent thermal insulation materials with extremely low thermal conductivity. However, the practical applications of traditional oxide aerogels, such as SiO 2 and Al 2 O 3 aerogels, are limited by the disadvantages of easy sintering and intrinsic brittleness. SiC is a good candidate for new aerogel due to its superior stability and good properties from room to high temperatures. However, it is generally supposed that SiC cannot be employed as thermal insulation material because of its high intrinsic thermal conductivity. We herein developed SiC nanowire aerogel with quite low thermal conductivity using freeze-drying method. The fabricated SiC nanowire aerogel exhibits ultra-high porosity (∼99.5%), excellent high-temperature stability (∼1700 °C), extremely low thermal conductivity (0.035 W/(m⋅K)) and good compressive flexibility. The low thermal conductivity is resulted from ultra-high porosity and multi-level nanostructures. Flexible compression behavior is attributed to the capability of moving and buckling of SiC nanowires, originating from both ultra-high porosity and strong connection between nanowires. This exploration highlights the flexible SiC nanowire aerogel as a promising high temperature thermal insulation material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laser technology has made great progress over the past decades. However, corresponding defense systems have lagged slightly behind. Therefore, there is significant room for research with respect to the principles and bases of existing laser protective materials. In this paper, a kind of silica aerogel material is prepared with the acid-base sol-gel process. Considering the influence of thermal conductivity and the porosity of the aerogel materials on the laser irradiation results, the best laser resistance times of the materials were obtained. The concept of the maximum energy transfer radius is proposed to build a preliminary laser irradiation model for porous materials. It indicates that under the irradiation of a continuous wave laser with a power of 7 kW·cm−2, the silica aerogel materials with the thickness of 3, 6, and 9 mm can withstand the laser for maximum times of 26, 61, and 100 s, respectively. After 7 s of irradiation, the surface temperature of 3 mm from the laser incident point is 226.9 °C. Aerogels, especially silica aerogels, should be considered as future laser protection materials. The extremely low thermal conductivity and the strong scattered ability for laser of these materials will provide a good defensive effect against large-energy laser weapons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of lightweight shape memory materials with exceptional thermal insulation properties is highly important in aerospace applications. Herein, shape memory polyimide (PI) aerogels was fabricated by molecularly designed PI molecular chains through freeze gelation and subsequent thermal imidization. The freezing conditions were controlled to regulate the porous microstructures of the aerogels. The interactions between PI chains formed physically crosslinked netpoints, which could overcome the expansive force and capillary force, thereby creating a stable porous structure. Because shape memory was thermally activated, the shape memory mechanisms associated with the thermal conductivity of the aerogels were comprehensively explored. Upon decreasing the pore size, dense frameworks were formed, contributing to the improved thermo-mechanical and compressive properties. Moreover, the heat transfer efficiency in the aerogel skeleton was enhanced, resulting in a rapid shape recovery response. Benefiting from the physically crosslinked structures, including entangled chains and π-π interactions, the fabricated PI aerogels demonstrated exceptional shape fixation and recovery capabilities. These findings may provide guidelines for designing smart aerogels for aerospace applications. [Display omitted] • Shape memory polyimide aerogels with tunable porous microstructures were fabricated. • The size of the micropores was regulated by controlling the freezing conditions. • The reduction of pore size accelerated the shape recovery process. • The comprehensive exploration of the shape memory mechanisms was conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the field of building energy conservation, the development of biodegradable biomass aerogels with excellent mechanical performance, flame retardancy and thermal insulation properties is of particular importance. Here, a directional freeze-drying method was used for fabricating composite sodium alginate (SA) aerogels containing functionalized ammonium polyphosphate (APP) flame retardant. In particular, APP was coated with melamine (MEL) and phytic acid (PA) by a supramolecular assembly process. Through optimizing the flame retardant addition, the SA-20 AMP sample exhibited excellent flame retardant and thermal insulation properties, with the limiting oxygen index of 38.2 % and the UL-94 rating of V-0. Such aerogels with anisotropic morphology demonstrated a low thermal conductivity of 0.0288 (W/m·K) in the radial direction (perpendicular to the lamellar structure). In addition, as-obtained aerogels displayed remarkable water stability and mechanical properties, indicating significant potential for practical applications. [Display omitted] • A high-efficiency flame retardant was synthesized. • AMP has a good interface compatibility with sodium alginate. • SA-20 AMP reached V-0 rating and the LOI value was 38.2 %. • Directional freezing endows SA-20 AMP with outstanding thermal insulation properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A method is developed for the regulation of secondary unstable dendrites during ice crystal growth. • The flexible polyimide (PI) aerogels possesses a micro/nano multi-scale porous skeleton. • The PI aerogels are characterized by ultra-low density and exceptional thermal insulation. The freeze-casting is widely utilized as a tool for regulating micro-scale pore structures in the fabrication of flexible polyimide (PI) aerogels for applications in adsorption, filtration, and fire-retardant. Herein, a confinement-controlled freeze-casting method is developed to fabricate PI aerogels with excellent thermal insulation properties by designing multi-scale structural adaptability. In a confinement-controlled system, the enhanced solid/solid and solid/liquid interface interactions in the solution dispersion system induce dendritic evolution of ice crystals. Under the directional freezing, grown dendritic ice crystals squeeze the loaded particles to form polyamic acid salt (PAAs) cryogels. Followed by template removal and thermal imidization, PI aerogels with a micro/nano-scale slit-like porous structure were obtained. The PI aerogels are characterized by ultra-low density (as low as 9.82 mg/cm3) and exceptional thermal insulation performance (25.0 mW/(m·K) at 25 °C). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat consumption is a serious energy waste, especially in an extremely cold environment. In view of their excellent advantages, several kinds of aerogels with different functions were emerged successively and served as critical materials in various areas. In this contribution, a simple strategy was developed to fabricate a high-fidelity and high-performance organic/inorganic composite aerogel by integrating dianhydrid-end capped polyamide acid (PAA) precursor and multi-amino functionalized hydroxyapatite (m-AmHA; used as the inorganic cross-linkers) in different feed ratios. Followed by the freeze-drying and thermal imidization treatments, the chemical cross-linked polyimide (PI) and HA based aerogels (HA x @PI, in which x represents the percentage of HA content) were obtained. The synergistic effect of inorganic filler and microporous structure of aerogel led to a great improvement of mechanical and thermal properties. Most importantly, the resultant HA x @PI aerogels could maintain their excellent physicochemical properties in several extreme environments such as ultra hot (300 °C), extreme cold (-196 °C; liquid nitrogen), water soaking (2 h, 40 °C), acid (pH 2.0; 1 h, 40 °C) and alkali (pH 12.0; 1 h, 40 °C) conditions. Based on these outstanding properties, we believe that such HA x @PI composite aerogels with low cost and high performances endowed them to be an ideal candidate to be employed in several harsh environments in addition to the conventional insulation and flame-retardant materials. • Uniformity dispersed HA contained polyimide-based aerogels were fabricated. • The mechanical properties, flame resistance, and thermal insulation properties were enhanced with the doping of HA. • Such aerogels could withstand several harsh environments, including ultra hot, extreme cold, water soaking, acid and alkali conditions, without influence on their physicochemical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gas absorption capability of material proposes a dominant role in the energy storage, selective gas absorption/capture. Aerogels with ultra-high porosity, ultra-low thermal conductivity have been widely used in gas absorption. However, a persistent limitation of these materials is their static and unalterable gas absorption capacity. In this work, a wrinkled graphene structure is proposed to adjust the gas capability. A series of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are carried out to propose an atomic-level understanding of the effects of wrinkled structure, including effects of pressure, surface wettability, number of gas molecules, thermal insulation, and mechanical properties. It is found that the gas capability can be reduced by 20% with wrinkle structure. Notably, the linear response between pressure and gas absorption capability is observed. Moreover, wrinkle structure functions as a thermal resistance to restrict solid heat transfer. The mechanical property of the aerogel composite is improved by a doped graphene sheet with a high wrinkle degree. This work will pave the way for the development of aerogel with high and selective gas absorption capability. • MD model of wrinkled graphene doped silica aerogel is built. • A linear response between pressure and gas absorption capability is found. • Wrinkle graphene damages the gas absorption. • High degree of wrinkle graphene improves the mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Aramid nanofiber/OMMT (AAM) hybrid aerogel with hierarchical framework was fabricated through freeze-drying process. • The thermal conduction pathway established by the AAM aerogel within the EP matrix. • Aramid nanofiber/OMMT-EP composites exhibited excellent thermal and tribology performances. • The synergistic reinforcing effects of ANFs and OMMT for EP matrix was discussed and highlighted. Epoxy resin (EP) is widely used in engineering moving components, but it remains a great challenge to address the high brittleness, low thermal properties and poor wear rate for real tribological application. We reported a robust ANFs/OMMT hybrid aerogel (AAM) with hierarchical framework through freeze-drying process. Thanks to the potent interfacial interaction between ANFs and OMMT, abundant rigid skeleton was constructed in the aerogel. Then the epoxy resin was introduced into ANFs/OMMT hybrid aerogel to establish a bicontinuous phase structure. As a result, ANFs/OMMT-EP materials with superior tribological properties were obtained with respect to pure EP. The outstanding friction performance was owing to the synergistic wear resistance mechanism of the ANFs and OMMT as well as the generation of high-quality transfer film during the sliding time. Meanwhile, the AAM hybrid aerogel constructed a 3D thermal conductive pathway inside the EP matrix to effectively inhibit the accumulation of frictional heat during the sliding process. This work could be significant for the expansion of aerogel in friction applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminosilicate aerogels are promising thermal insulation materials for high temperature applications. In this study, aluminosilicate aerogels were effectively synthesised using affordable precursors: dispersible boehmite powder and waterglass solutions, with subsequent drying achieved by supercritical CO 2 processing. According to the evaluation of their properties, the Al–Si aerogels exhibited low densities (0.11 g/cm3), low thermal conductivities (<0.021 W/m·K) and high specific surface areas (SSA) (516 m2/g for an Al:Si molar ratio of 3:1). When waterglass-based aerogel and aluminosilicate samples were treated at high temperature (1200 °C), the formation of mullite was demonstrated for the aluminosilicate aerogel with a molar ratio of Al:Si 3:1, which showed a higher value for SSA compared to the waterglass-based aerogel. [Display omitted] • Low-cost waterglass and boehmite precursors were employed in aerogel's preparation. • Aluminosilicate aerogels present low densities and low thermal conductivity values. • Aluminosilicate aerogel materials exhibit uniform structure and high specific surface area. • Porosity is retained after heat treatment at 1200 °C for the aerogel with an aluminium: SiO2 molar ratio equal to 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a multi-functional guar gum aerogel with the oriented lamellar structure, which introduced sodium silicate (Na 2 O·nSiO 2) and phytic acid (PA) as thermal insulation additives and flame-retardant agents, respectively, was fabricated via freeze drying. Our aerogel's chemical structure, morphology, and thermal and mechanical properties were analyzed. The oriented lamellar structure was attributed to the orientated growth of ice crystals, which was induced by the "silicate-guar, guar-phytate, and phytate-silicate" multiple hydrogen bonds formed between Na 2 O·nSiO 2 , PA, and guar gum. The density of the sample with 2 wt% PA could reach 0.0335 g·cm−3, and the porosity was 5 %, along with a specific pore volume of 0.8144 cm3·g−1. The mechanical properties and thermal insulation performed significant differences in the radial and axial direction of the oriented lamella (nearly 100 % resilience while 50 % deformation quantity and 0.0235 W/(m*K) of thermal conductivity in the radial direction, up to 0.079 MPa of compressive strength in the axial direction). The presence of PA attached a good flame-retardant ability to our aerogel (The Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) was 30.77 %). This work provides a novel and promising method for developing anisotropic aerogel with excellent potential in building energy efficiency and flame-retardant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A novel type of PI/SIO 2 composite aerogel was prepared by a confined filling strategy. • The PI/SiO 2 composite aerogels exhibit ultra-low density and super thermal insulation. • The sound insulation and mechanical properties are significantly enhanced owing to the "honeycomb-like" structure. Aerogels have enormous potential in integrated thermal insulation and noise reduction applications. According to the knowledge of the favorable mechanical and acoustic properties of honeycomb structures. We employed anisotropic "honeycomb-like" polyimide (PI) aerogels as the matrix and utilized a confined filling strategy to directionally filled continuous SiO 2 aerogels into the PI aerogel matrix. This resulted in the creation of an exceptional organic–inorganic composite aerogel (PISis) with outstanding thermal and acoustic insulation performance. The radial thermal conductivity of PISis ranged from 22.37 to 27.65 mW·m−1·K−1, and the initial decomposition temperature was approximately 524–557 °C. In the frequency range of 500–6300 Hz, the average sound transmission loss (STL) of the 18 mm thick composite material reached 30.67 ∼ 31.89 dB, and the compressive strength at 10 % strain is 0.416 MPa. The PISis exhibits a density ranging from 0.1012 to 0.1302 g/cm3. These make it an ideal lightweight, high-strength, and efficient material for thermal and acoustic insulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anisotropic cellulose nanofiber (CNF)/carbon nanotube (CNT) aerogels hold a great promise in directional applications due to their distinct xylem-like aligned penetrating pore structures. The aspect ratio of CNF plays a crucial role in the pore structures of aerogels, directly dominating the final macroscopic properties of materials. Herein, three types of CNF with different aspect ratios were extracted through the 2,2,6,6-tetrmethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical (TEMPO) oxidation process by changing the doses of oxidant. The corresponding anisotropic CNF/CNT aerogels were prepared by the unidirectional freeze-drying method and then their pore morphologies and properties were investigated in detail. The resulting aerogel with the shortest aspect ratio of CNF exhibited the densest porous structure, thereby obtaining the highest compressive strength of 110 kPa and elastic modulus of 383 kPa, while that containing the longest CNF possessed the highest thermal conductivity coefficient of 0.17 W m−1 K−1 and the worst thermal insulation. This research explored the relationship between the properties of the CNF/CNT aerogels and devisable pore structures caused by various aspect ratios of CNF, thus providing a new insight into the development of CNF/CNT aerogels with tunable performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aerogel, being extremely light and porous, is desirable for various applications of energetics such as a self-destructive microchip component. Additive manufacturing often requires a polymer binder which decreases thermal conductivity and changes combustion characteristics of the product. In this work, we fabricate a novel, polymer-free, reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-based Al/metal oxide nanothermite aerogel with a wide range of nanoparticle loading, via a new additive manufacturing process. SEM images revealed its unique porous structure formed by extra thin rGO sheets as the 3D skeleton, which wrapped Al and metal oxide nanoparticles into individual nanothermite clusters. DSC-TGA results and high-speed combustion videos confirmed the enhanced energetic performance of the printed specimen, suggesting the important role of rGO. A high linear burning rate of 5.8 m/s was achieved for a printed rGO/Al/metal oxide sample with a diameter of 1.6 mm (1/16") at 95 % thermite nanoparticle loading, and the propagation occurred at roughly the same rate with and against the print direction. This method allows for more complex 3D printing fabrication of various rGO/nanoparticle aerogels. Thermal camera footage clearly indicated the generation and increase of the pre-heating zone, reaction front, and cooling zone during the propagation. This method allows for more complex 3D printing fabrication of various rGO/nanoparticle aerogels. [Display omitted] • A novel room-temperature direct ink writing method for polymer-free rGO-nanoparticle aerogel. • Aerogel presents a unique porous structure and high nanoparticle loading up to 95 %. • Two different metal oxide nanoparticles were tested to develop nanothermite aerogel. • Fast and controllable linear combustion propagation rate between 10 cm/s and 5 m/s. • Increased heat transfer rate due to the highly conductive rGO scaffold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Silica aerogel granules were replaced by quartz sand of 0 to 4.5 wt% to produce lightweight cement-based composite mortars. • SAG has increased the water absorption and porosity of the mortar, while reduced compressive strength and hardened density. • Pores increased with increase in aerogel, SAG tend to agglomerate, and pores accumulate around the aerogel particles. • SAG significantly decreased thermal conductivity from 0.772 to 0.155 W/mK. • SAG also reduced thermal diffusivity and heat storage, and increased specific heat. It has been discovered in recent years that the use of silica aerogel in cement-based materials contributes to the thermal insulation properties of the materials, and studies on this subject have gained importance. However, it was determined that the studies mostly remained at the level of the thermal conductivity coefficient and the main physical and mechanical properties of the materials. In this study, a comprehensive research was carried out with the replacement of micro-sized aerogel particles with quartz sand in different ratios (0, 1, 1.6, 2.4, 3.2, 4 and 4.5 wt%) in lightweight cement-based composite mortar (LCCM) combinations. Specifically, the effect of silica aerogel granules (SAG) on flowability, fresh and hardened densities, porosity, water absorption, compressive strength, macro/microstructural properties (by optic microscope, SEM, XRD analysis), thermal conductivity, specific heat, thermal diffusivity and heat storage capability of LCCMs were investigated. While SAG could increase the flowability (up to 8.4 %) at low using rates, it decreased it at higher rates. It is very effective in reducing fresh and hardened densities. However, it highly increased porosity and water absorption, and greatly decreased compressive strength. On the other hand, generally the poor interfacial properties of the cement matrix and the aerogel were moderately improved in this study. The lowest thermal conductivity was determined as 0.155 W/mK in the highest SAG usage. SAG increased specific heat, decreased thermal diffusivity and decreased heat storage capability of LCCMs up to 45.23 %, 63.49 % and 46.32 %, respectively. As a result of the study, aerogel has been identified as a very suitable material that can be used to highly improve thermal properties in LCCMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Properties of alkali-excited fly ash aerogel foam concrete were studied. • The microstructure of alkali-excited fly ash aerogel foamed concrete was analyzed. • Test variable included aerogel particles, fly ash, foam and polypropylene fiber. • Developed concrete exhibited excellent thermal performance and mechanical strength. • Aerogel used in concrete had excellent thermal insulation performance. With increasing focus on low-carbon energy conservation and environmental protection, there is a need to consider all aspects of life in future developments. To meet the concept and requirements of energy conservation and environmental protection in the building industry, we have developed alkali-excited aerogel-foamed concrete that exhibits excellent thermal insulation performance and mechanical strength. The variables involved in its production include fly ash, foam, aerogels, and polypropylene fibres. In this study, the microstructure and mechanical and thermal properties of alkali-excited fly ash aerogel foam concrete was analysed. The results indicated that fly ash can replace a portion of the cement, resulting in a reduction in the thermal conductivity of the concrete. The addition of aerogels and foams to the concrete can significantly decrease its thermal conductivity. Specifically, when the aerogel content reaches 12 % and the foam content reaches 75 %, the thermal conductivity of the concrete decreases from 0.498 W/m·K to 0.183 W/m·K and 0.19 W/m·K, respectively. However, this decrease in thermal conductivity comes at a cost of approximately 50 % reduction in the flexural and compressive strengths of the concrete. The findings reveal that the aerogel has excellent thermal insulation performance similar to that of the foam, but it has little influence on the mechanical properties of the concrete. Additionally, an increase in the polypropylene fibre content significantly improves the mechanical properties of alkali-excited fly ash aerogel concrete, but the thermal properties of the concrete remain mostly unaffected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Porous coral-like Co/CoO/RGO hybrid aerogels are successfully developed. • The special structure brings multiple loss modes and good impedance matching. • Achieving high EM wave loss, hydrophobicity and thermal insulation properties. • DFT simulations are adopted to verify the interface polarization of interfaces. Addressing the growing issue of electromagnetic radiation calls for urgent exploration of effective electromagnetic wave absorbers. Herein, a series of coral-like Co/CoO nanoparticles/reduced graphene oxide (Co/CoO/RGO) hybrid aerogels were synthesized via a freeze drying-thermal reduction strategy. Their advantages involving porous interconnected framework, abundant heterogeneous interfaces, and integration of dielectric/magnetic units could bring multiple loss modes. By manipulating the Co(CO 3) 0.5 (OH)·0.11H 2 O (CCOH) addition and reduction temperature, the electromagnetic parameters could be tuned, ultimately resulting in optimal absorption capability with maximal reflection loss of –32.4 dB and effective bandwidth of 4.2 GHz. More importantly, excepting the high electromagnetic wave loss, Co/CoO/RGO hybrid aerogels also exhibit good hydrophobicity and thermal insulation properties, making them suitable for application in harsh environment. Besides, the special structure and multiple components lead to multiple heterointerfaces in aerogels, the resultant interface polarization is deemed to contribute to electromagnetic wave loss. Here, Density Functional Theory (DFT) simulation based on first-principles is adopted to verify the contribution of interface polarization from the theoretical level. According to the simulation results, the electron-occupied states near the Fermi level are significantly different among the different phases comprising the heterointerfaces, and there is a noticeable accumulation of charge at these interfaces, successfully affirming the interface polarization behavior at different interfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epoxy resin (EP) composites are attracting intensive interest for aviation aircraft applications due to superior machinability and high corrosion resistance. However, the poor tribological performance of EP matrix greatly limits its wide application because of highly brittle and weak thermal properties. Herein, we constructed a vine-like MXene@MoS 2 /Carbon nanofiber aerogel (MMoCA) via directed freezing method and cellulose carbonization treatment. The obtained MMoCA exhibited long-range-aligned 3D porous lamellar structure and the MXene@MoS 2 attached to carbon nanofiber surface presented good dispersion inside the aerogel. Such a novel aerogel bestowed the EP composites with outstanding thermal properties through constructing continuous oriented thermal diffusion channels inside the EP matrix. Meanwhile MMoCA reinforced EP composites (MMoCA-EP) showed great potential in tribological application, resulting from the rapid friction heat dissipation and high-quality transfer films during the friction process. This study has a significant guidance to develop high performance polymer composites in the frontier field of tribology. [Display omitted] • The long-range-aligned MXene@MoS 2 /Carbon nanofiber aerogel (MMoCA) was fabricated. • The thermal properties and mechanical performance of MMoCA-EP composites were enhanced remarkably. • The splendid anti-friction and wear-resistance performance of MMoCA-EP composites was revealed comprehensively. • The friction-induced evolution and synergistic reinforcing effects of MXene@MoS 2 were analyzed systematically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Naturally-derived aerogels have attracted considerable attention owing to their good biocompatibility, biodegradability and sustainability, but their weak mechanical properties largely limit their applications in various fields. Herein, we proposed the use of a directional freeze-drying method to prepare an anisotropic honeycomb three-dimensional porous aerogel with water-soluble chitosan (CS) as a rigid skeleton and water-soluble biobased epoxy resin as cross-linked hard segments, which had low volume shrinkage and density of 13.9 % and 34.3 mg/cm3, respectively. The resultant aerogel had anisotropic mechanical properties, such as rigidity in the axial direction with a maximum axial modulus of 6.71 MPa, which was 51.6 times larger than that of the pure chitosan aerogel, demonstrating a good compressive elasticity in the radial direction. It also had anisotropic thermal management properties, with a lower thermal conductivity in the radial direction than in the axial direction, down to 0.029 W/mK. The introduction of biobased epoxy resin improved the overall thermal stability, flame retardancy, and increased the biomass content in the aerogel, reducing the carbon footprint of the material. This study paves the way for the construction of a special graded porous, structurally and functionally integrated thermal insulation aerogel, which is of great significance for the development of new thermal insulation materials. [Display omitted] • Anisotropic honeycomb bio-based aerogels have been prepared by directional freeze-drying. • The introducing of bio-based epoxy resin improves the comprehensive properties of aerogel. • The aerogel exhibits low thermal conductivity of 0.029 W/mK in the radical direction. • The aerogel shows low volume shrinkage (13.9 %) and density (34.3 mg/cm3). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Pore structure is key parameter influencing its properties. • The agglomeration of SiO 2 aerogels modified is significantly improved. • The best way is modified by cation, non-ionic and inorganic surfactant. • The strength and thermal conductivity of the sample are 17.16 MPa and 0.1889 W/(m∙K) SiO 2 aerogel and cement-based cementing materials mixed prone to fragmentation, agglomeration, flying and floating, resulting in SiO 2 aerogel in cement-based cementing materials can not be evenly distributed. In addition, the mixture of hydrophobic SiO 2 aerogel and cement-based cementing materials has low adhesion and poor compatibility. In this study, the SiO 2 aerogels were modified in different ways for improved compatibility with inorganic cementing materials. The results show that the SiO 2 aerogel slurry (A4) modified by cation, non-ionic and inorganic surfactant had superior dispersibility in inorganic cementing materials. When the content of A4 was 30 wt%, the dry density, thermal conductivity and compressive strength of the sample were 1136.4 kg/m3, 0.1889 W/(m∙K), and 17.16 MPa, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Monolithic samples were fabricated using a rapid supercritical extraction process. • Small-scale prototype glazing system with thin aerogel pane were fabricated. • Influence of aerogel on optical, thermal, and color rendering performance is investigated. • Thermal transmittance reduction up to 28% was calculated with a small loss in light transmittance. • Thin aerogel tends to make the colors brighter and to involve small color shift variations. Thin monolithic aerogel is one of the most promising super-insulated thermo-acoustic and lighting materials for use in highly energy-efficient windows. This study investigates the influence of 3-mm monolithic aerogel in the gap of small-scale prototype glazing systems on optical, thermal, and color rendering performance. Data available in the literature are in general related to monolithic aerogel panes with a thickness greater than 10 mm; only a few studies investigate thin aerogels. The novelty of the paper is the investigation of thin aerogel physical properties focusing on 3 mm – thick panes sandwiched in double glazing systems. The aerogel samples were fabricated at Union College using a rapid supercritical extraction method, reducing the time of fabrication for monoliths. Peak values of visible spectral transmittance in the 0.75 – 0.78 range were measured using a conventional spectrophotometer in the 300–2500 nm wavelength range. A thermal transmittance reduction of up to 28% was calculated for the glazing systems with the aerogel. The effect of the thin aerogel glazing systems on color rendering observed through transparent material was evaluated following a new measurement methodology developed in previous work. The results showed that the innovative solutions with thin aerogel tend to make the colors brighter and involve slight color shift variations, resulting in high Color Rendering Index values (85 – 88). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An anisotropic aerogel hot-extrusion strategy is designed to convert polyimide aerogels into aerogel-based paper. The multilayer interconnected aerogel-based paper exhibits excellent thermal stability and mechanical properties, and the mechanical properties remain great at high temperatures. This aerogel-based paper has huge application potential in the aerospace field. [Display omitted] • Multi-layer interconnected aerogel based paper was successfully prepared by anisotropic aerogel hot extrusion strategy. • Aerogel-based papers exhibit excellent thermal stability and stable mechanical properties (PI-1: 216.28 MPa at 25 °C). • The tensile strength of PI-1 was 3 times that of commercial polyimide paper and 24 times that of aramid paper at 400 °C. • Aerogel-based paper maintain stable mechanical property after 5000 cycles. The continuous improvement of papermaking technology has attracted widespread attention. However, the prevention of high-temperature decomposition and a subsequent decline in mechanical strength is still a significant challenge with current papermaking technology. Herein, a newly developed multilayer interconnected polyimide aerogel-based paper was successfully prepared via an anisotropic aerogel hot-extrusion strategy. Precursor solutions of highly rigid benzimidazole units containing intermolecular hydrogen bonds and linear rod-like benzimide units were first prepared. Anisotropic precursor polyimide (PAAS) aerogels with a thickness of 3 mm were then manufactured by unidirectional freeze-drying. Then, aerogel-based papers with a thickness of 40 μm and microstructure multilayer interconnected properties were obtained by a hot extrusion strategy and a thermal imidization process. This polyimide structural paper exhibited excellent thermal and mechanical properties. Through the design of micro and macro structures, the tensile strength of the aerogel-based paper was much higher than that of commercial paper at both room temperature and 400 ℃. This aerogel-based paper also exhibited high-temperature cycle stability, high flexibility, and good stretchable bending properties. The successful preparation of this aerogel-based paper demonstrates the feasibility of the hot extrusion strategy. This work provides a new papermaking technology method and broadens the application field of paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the RGO/CNTs/MXene aerogel-epoxy composites (RCM-EP) were fabricated via freeze drying following by resin perfusion process. RCM aerogel with different pore sizes and morphologies were regulated by changing concentration of MXene. In addition, mechanical properties and thermal behaviors of EP composites with RCM and dispersed fillers were comparatively investigated. The results show that the RCM-EP have a better mechanical strength and thermal properties due to outstanding dispersion performance, interfacial bonding and spatial thermal conductivity network. Simultaneously, tribological test results revealed the wear rate and friction coefficient of EP were reduced by 83.5 % and 53.1 %, respectively, with the incorporation of RCM aerogel. The RCM aerogel inside the EP matrix could improve the bearing capacity of composites and inhibit the accumulation of friction heat via 3D inter-crosslinked network. Moreover, the RCM aerogel was slowly released and participated in friction transfer during sliding process, constructing high-quality transfer film, which endowed the RCM-EP with distinguished tribological performance. [Display omitted] • The 3D cross-linked GO/MXene/CNTs hybrid aerogel was successfully prepared. • The thermal and mechanical properties of GO/MXene/CNTs aerogel-EP composites were improved significantly. • The hybrid aerogel constructed 3D network inside EP and dissipated friction heat timely. • The GO/MXene/CNTs-EP composites obtained the optimal tribological performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Polyimide aerogels with nano-porous structure were prepared by ambient drying. • SiO 2 nanoparticles were used as skeleton enhancers and shrinkage inhibitors. • The aerogels exhibit robust mechanical properties and efficient thermal insulation. Ambient drying of polyimide (PI) aerogel is rarely reported due to the strong cross-linking network leading to large shrinkage. In this work, the hydrophobic SiO 2 nanoparticles are used as skeleton enhancers and shrinkage inhibitors to maintain the nano-porous network structure and achieve ambient drying of PI/SiO 2 aerogels. The results show that the PI/SiO 2 aerogel prepared by ambient drying has similar thermal insulation and mechanical properties as the PI aerogel prepared by supercritical drying. The PI/SiO 2 aerogel prepared by ambient drying is low-cost and simple to operate, which is expected to realize the industrialization and wide engineering application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Phenolic resin aerogel is synthesized from linear and boron phenolic resin. • The ultralow shrinkage attributes to the strong B-O bond in boron phenolic resin. • Thermal conductivity of aerogel with a density of 0.105 g/cm3 is 0.0352 W/(m·K). • Aerogel shows excellent mechanical stability and resilience capacity. Lightweight phenolic resin aerogel with excellent thermal insulation and mechanical properties is an attractive material for thermal engineering applications. However, to synthesize such material, generally, a significant volume shrinkage would occur during the aerogel formation and the processing time is long. To conquer such issues, the lightweight phenolic resin aerogel with excellent thermal insulation and mechanical properties was synthesized by an elaborately designed process, where linear thermoplastic phenolic resin (LPR) and boron-modified thermosetting phenolic resin (BPR) were used as the raw materials. It was found that the shrinkage rate and the processing time of the phenolic resin aerogel were significantly reduced. By optimizing the synthesis process, the aerogel with a density of 0.105 g/cm3 and a thermal conductivity of 0.0352 W/(m·K) was achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Lightweight, flexible aerogels using renewable curdlan and wood waste chips as raw materials. • Low thermal conductivity (30.1 × 10−3 W/(m·K)) and high thermal stability up to 300 °C. • Hydrophobic and good compression-resilience behavior. Developing flexible and lightweight materials with elevated thermal insulation performance from renewable biomass is significant for green and sustainable energy. In this work, a multifunctional biomass aerogel using wood waste as a raw material is proposed. The composite aerogel consists of curdlan as a structural framework, wood fibers and nano-hydroxyapatite as reinforcing phases. By employing thermogravimetry (TG), infrared thermal imager and thermal conductivity tester, the thermal stability and thermal insulation performance of the aerogel were evaluated. The consequent thermal conductivity reaches 30.1 × 10−3 W/(m·K). As the strength and toughness of the aerogel is improved by introducing cellulose into the matrix, it shows a maximum compressive modulus of 1.65 MPa. The hydrophobicity of the aerogel is achieved by an alkylation method and the contact angle is over 120°. This nontoxic aerogel composite with high thermal and mechanical performance indicates a potential utilization in the thermal management of food and electronic industry. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel rigid polyurethane foam filled with silica aerogels and hollow glass microspheres has been prepared and investigated. • Silica aerogels were used to improve the thermal insulation of the rigid polyurethane foam. • Hollow glass microspheres were used to improve the flame retardancy of the rigid polyurethane foam. • Rigid polyurethane foam filled with silica aerogels and hollow glass microspheres exhibited better thermal properties compared with pure rigid polyurethane foam. Insulation materials with excellent thermal properties are pivotal components for the next-generation green building materials. In this study, several novel rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF) composites modified by silica aerogels and hollow glass microspheres (HGMs) were prepared. The microstructure, mechanical, physical and thermal properties of the specimens were characterized. The results showed that the addition of fillers changed the microstructure of RPUF. Furthermore, the thermal conductivity of rigid polyurethane foam filled with silica aerogels and HGMs (PUAH) decreased from 24.4 to 22.7 mW/mK, and the compressive strength of PUAH was 51.1% higher than that of pure RPUF. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) exhibited that the thermal stability of PUAH was improved, which was evidenced by the delayed thermal decomposition temperature. Notably, the results of cone calorimeter test (CCT) demonstrated that, compared with pure RPUF, the total heat release (THR) and total smoke production (TSP) of PUAH decreased by 23.2% and 21.6%, respectively. The above results proved that there was a synergistic effect of silica aerogels and HGMs in enhancing the various performance of RPUF composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The chemical grafting of ammonium polyphosphate onto the surface of HGM was reported for the first time. • Composites aerogel have excellent thermal insulation properties. • Composites aerogel have excellent flame retardancy, and the LOI value is as high as 100. • Composites aerogel have good mechanical properties. The development of high-performance flame-retardant materials with better thermal insulation properties is of great significance to modern building energy conservation. In this study, we report the facile and scalable fabrication of novel aerogels (SA-HGM-APP) based on the building blocks of ammonium polyphosphate (APP) coated hollow glass microspheres (HGM) and matrix material sodium alginate (SA) by freeze drying method. The as-prepared composite aerogel exhibits better thermal stability (decomposition temperature over 210°C). In addition, SA-HGM-APP composite aerogels have good thermal insulation properties and low thermal conductivity, which is 0.035 W m−1 K−1. More importantly, the peak heat release rate (pHRR) is 14.14 kW m−2, the limiting oxygen index (LOI) value is as high as 100%, and the aerogel composite material can reach UL-94 V-0 grade, so it shows excellent flame retardancy. These results attributed to a synergistic effect, which combines the rich porous structure derived from HGM, so that SA and APP have better thermal insulation and excellent non flammability, thus providing excellent flame retardancy. SA-HGM-APP aerogel composite has many advantages, such as simple preparation method and high mechanical strength. It has great potential in future thermal insulation and flame retardancy applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Multiphase ceramic nanofibers (MPC-NFs) are fabricated using sol-gel method, electrospinning, and calcination. • Fibers consist of crystalline α-alumina and mullite phases surrounded by an amorphous phase. • MPC-NFs possess improved structural flexibility and thermal properties at extreme conditions. • Aerogels based on ceramic nanofibers could be useful for high-temperature insulation or shielding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Graphene/Fe3O4 hybrid aerogel were prepared by self-assembly synthesis. • The effects of concentration of nano-Fe3O4 in the aerogel were studied. • Mechanical and thermal properties of the hybrid aerogels were investigated. [Display omitted] Graphene aerogel and graphene-magnetite hybrid aerogel were prepared using hydrothermal method followed by a freeze-drying process. Magnetite nanoparticles were encapsulated by graphene sheets in an electrostatic self-assembly process. The morphology and properties of aerogels were characterized by several techniques including UV-Vis spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, FESEM, TEM and XRD. The mechanical and thermal behavior of the aerogels were evaluated at different concentration levels of Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles (0, 10, 20 and 30 wt%). The compressive strengths of the hybrid aerogels at the strain of 80% for graphene aerogels containing 0, 10, 20 and 30 wt% Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles were determined to be 5.93, 12.96, 6.85, and 6.15 kPa, respectively. The highest mechanical properties were achieved for the sample containing 10 wt% Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles (FGA10). Thermal analysis revealed that FGA10 sample had a 15% less weight loss when heated up to 600 °C compared with that for the bare graphene aerogel, indicating the formation of a more thermally stable structure. Furthermore, adding Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles improved the thermal insulation performance of the graphene aerogel, since the dynamic heat transfer rate and heat dissipation rate of FGA10 were lower than those for the bare graphene aerogel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although graphene-based composites have been considered desirable candidates for thermal management applications, their poor electrical insulation restricts their further use in electrical insulation requiring occasions. Fluorinated graphene (FG), a new type of graphene-based material, attracts the attention of researchers due to its excellent electric insulation property. In this work, a novel fluorinated graphene aerogel/polydimethylsiloxane (FGA/PDMS) composite with a tightly-packed structure is constructed via freeze-drying and vacuum impregnation. The fabricated composite shows high compressibility and superior thermal conductivity of 1.41 W/(m·K) with a relatively low FGA loading of 0.28 wt%, 605.6% larger than the original PDMS. Meanwhile, it also maintains excellent insulation properties with an ultra-low electrical conductivity of 2.0 × 10−9 S/cm. 180 times smaller than graphene aerogel/PDMS. The practical excellent heat dissipation performance of the composite functioning as thermal interface material is also verified by a thorough study theoretically and experimentally. Furthermore, the FGA/PDMS composite also behaves with excellent flame retardant properties. [Display omitted] • Fluorinated graphene aerogel/polydimethylsiloxane (FGA/PDMS) with a tightly-packed structure is constructed. • FGA/PDMS shows lightweight and excellent compressibility. • FGA/PDMS has a low electrical conductivity of 2.0 × 10−9 S/cm. • FGA/PDMS exhibits impressive flame retardant properties at 1982 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Low cost and high performance. • Silica aerogel fabricated from incineration bottom ash. • Thermal insulation paint with silica aerogel additive. • 12 °C surface temperature reduction improvement on the heated plate at 60 °C. • 1 °C in-chamber temperature reduction with external temperature of 44.6 °C. In this work, silica aerogel (SA) powder is fabricated through a sustainable method from incineration bottom ash. The fabricated SA has a low thermal conductivity of 0.025 W/mK, high surface area of 786 m2/g, and high porosity of 96.36%. The thermal analysis of SA powder shows it has a stable hydrophobicity up to 418 °C. The SA powder has been mixed into water-based paints to develop a high efficient thermal insulation paint with inproved thermal insulaton properties. Different percentage of SA were mixed into the paint samples to prepare the silica aerogel thermal insulation paint (SATIP) and their physical properties were studied. The SATIP samples were then coated on cement board substrates. The thermal conductivity, water resistance, durability and insulation performance of the samples were investigated and evaluated systematically. The scrub resistance of SATIP can be improved significantly by 219% after adding 5 vol% SA powder. And by adding 20 vol% of SA into the SATIP, it achieves up to 12 °C surface temperature reduction improvement compare to the one without SA on the heated plate at 60 °C, and 1 °C in-chamber temperature reduction with external temperature of 44.6 °C. The spectral reflectance analysis demonstrates that the improvement of the thermal insulation performance of the SATIP is attributed to the thermal insulation property of SA and proves that the developed SATIP is color insensitive and has wider applications. The results demonstrated a low-cost and scalable process fabricates SA with superor properties. The developed SATIP has a great potential for application in sustainable and green buildings for energy saving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Unidirectional anisotropic PIAs have been prepared by freeze-drying. • The PIA shows excellent thermal stability and stable mechanical behavior. • The u -PIA-6 exhibits great strength, which is over twice as high as that of the TEEK-HH at 177 °C with a similar density. • The u -PIA shows great thermal insulation properties in anisotropic. Polyimide aerogels (PIAs) are the new type of high-performance lightweight material that combines the excellent thermal and mechanical behavior of polyimides with the highly porous and lightweight properties of aerogels. PIAs can meet the increasing material requirements of high-tech fields such as the aerospace and transportation industries. This study reports a series of all-aromatic anisotropic polyimide aerogels (p-phenylenediamine (PDA) and 3,3′,4,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (s-BPDA)) with unprecedented behavior. These PIAs were synthesized using a random or unidirectional freeze-drying method followed by thermal imidization of the precursor solution. Their mechanical and thermal conductivity performance were anisotropic (u -PIA-8 strength: 1.86 and 0.14 MPa, thermal conductivity: 62.9 and 50.1 mW·m−1·K−1 along the axial and radial direction, respectively). Furthermore, the PIAs possessed excellent compression behavior in a wide temperature range from 25 °C to 316 °C, with a compressive strength over twice that of the commercial polyimide foam TEEK-HH (u -PIA-6 strength: 0.83 and 0.32 MPa at 177 and 316 °C, TEEK-HH strength: 0.31 MPa at 177 °C). These aerogels also demonstrated good thermal insulation performance after being held at 300 °C for 20 min (u -PIA-8: 76.3 °C at 25 mm). These highly anisotropic aerogels exhibit flexible thermal protection properties that extend the potential use of PIAs to applications such as high-temperature-resistant rocket fairings, sandwich structures, and arc-shaped structures for aerobats or the automobile industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of eco-friendly thermal insulation material composed of recyclable wastes contributes to enhancing environmental sustainability with less pollution. In this study, polysaccharide-based aerogels with improved thermal insulation property were obtained by using konjac glucomannan, starch, and office waste paper cellulose fiber (WPCF) via sol-gel and freeze-drying method. The obtained aerogels had a bulk density of 30.1–44.9 mg/cm3, a porosity of 95.1–97.0%. Results revealed that increased WPCF addition did not impact the thermal stability, but improved the sol stability, reduced the pore size, strengthened the mechanical property, and lowered the hygroscopicity of the aerogels, benefiting practical application. Although WPCF solids showed a high thermal conductivity, increased WPCF addition at 0.1–0.5 wt% reduced the aerogel thermal conductivity, which was explained by the longer heat path and less heat convention. Further higher WPCF addition at 0.5–1.5 wt% increased the aerogel thermal conductivity as the heat conduction of solid matrix was increased and the heat convection was strengthened. Therefore, the lowest thermal conductivity (0.0335 Wm−1 K−1) of the aerogel was reached at the optimized WPCF addition of 0.5 wt%. This work showed the high potential of the WPCF to be used to strengthen the thermal insulation property of polysaccharide-based aerogels. • Fully bio-based aerogel was prepared with recyclable cellulose fiber addition. • WPCF addition changed the aerogel structure including pore shape and pore size. • The optimum thermal insulation property was achieved at WPCF addition of 0.5 wt%. • The thermal insulation mechanism was interpreted through the pore structure changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eco-friendly thermally insulating cellulose aerogels made from environmentally friendly resources are very attractive in materials chemistry, but the high flammability limits their application. Herein, a novel phosphorus-containing flame retardant modifying agent (DOPO-IA) was incorporated into the cellulose nanofiber aerogel and the cellulose composite aerogels were prepared by esterification and followed by a freeze-drying process. The thermal conductivity of the resultant cellulose composite aerogels was in the range of 28.6–31.2 mW/(mK). Meanwhile, the cellulose aerogels modified with DOPO-IA showed significantly enhanced thermal stability, mechanical property, and flame retardant performance compared with the pure cellulose aerogel. The CNF-DI-3 showed a high char residue (19.8 wt%) at 700 °C, which was 187% higher than CNF. Specifically, CNF-DI-3 exhibited remarkable reductions in its PHRR and THR values which were 67% and 60%, respectively, as compared to those of CNF. In summary, it is of significance to synthesize mechanically robust and flame-retardant cellulose aerogels. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]