Difference between revisions of "Aerogel"

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This page is in progress. Please do not cite or link
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[[File:Aerogel Supedium.jpg|thumb|Silica aerogel<br> Supedium [https://supedium.com/our-universe-space/the-incredible-aerogel/ Incredible Aerogel]]]
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[[File:Aerogelcrayons NASA.jpg|thumb|Crayons on aerogel over flame<br>NASA: [https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/stardust/tech/aerogel.html Aerogel]]]
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[[File:Aerogel structure.jpg|thumb|Aerogel Structure (Silica)<br>[https://www.dlr.de/mp/en/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-4961/11054_read-25264/ Institute of Material Physics in Space]]]
 
==Description==   
 
==Description==   
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A generic term for a material
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Any synthetic, open-celled solid foam that is composed of a network of interconnected nanostructures.  Aerogels are derived from gels in which the liquid has been replaced with gas while retaining the structure of the solid framework. The first aerogel material was created the Samuel Kistler in 1931 using silica gel (patented 1937). The unique properties of aerogels are due to its high surface area and open porous structure that provides extremely low density, as well as low thermal and sound conductivities. Although aerogels may feel fragile to the touch, they have strong structural integrity.  They  have been used in solar cells, fuel cells, batteries, supercapacitors as well as more mundane things such as paints, cosmetics, coats, rugs, pipes, spill-clean-up kits and insulation. Of particular interest for museums is the aerogels extrodinary ability to minimize heat transfer when used in fire protection blankets (Praestegaard 2023).
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Aerogels are 3-D nanostructures of non-fluid colloidal interconnected porous networks consisting of loosely packed bonded particles that are expanded throughout its volume by gas and exhibit ultra-low density and high specific surface area. Aerogels are normally synthesized through a sol–gel method followed by a special drying technique such as supercritical drying or ambient pressure drying. The fascinating properties of aerogels like high surface area, open porous structure greatly influence the performances of energy conversion and storage devices and encourage the development of sustainable electrochemical devices. Therefore, this review describes on the applications of inorganic, organic and composite aerogel nanostructures to dye-sensitized solar cells, fuel cells, batteries and supercapacitors accompanied by the significant steps involved in the synthesis, mechanism of network formation and various drying techniques.
 
  
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Aerogel has not languished inside labs. You may find it inside modern rugs, cosmetics, paints, pipes, wetsuits, and roofs, merely to name only a couple of products. And now inventors are creating new recipes and production techniques for aerogel, resulting in novel applications which have thin yet incredibly warm (and trendy ) coats and petroleum spill-cleanup kits. Without The fortuitous discovery of aerogel from the early 1900s of Samuel Stephens Kistler, however, we may still be dreaming about the incredible substance’s occurrence.
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Aerogels were first, and most commonly, made from silica (see [[aerogel, silica]]), but they are also been made from:
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they cycle moist aerogel through multiple stages of heating and cooling under pressure, which keeps the silica system’s shape even after completely drying out
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* Natural polymers: [[cellulose]], [[agar]] (SEAgel), [[gelatin]], [[pectin]]
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Aerogels have an extremely higher nano-porosity and so exhibit extraordinary properties: high pore volume (up to 99 per cent), ultralow density (0.2 — 0.5 g/cm3), higher surface area (up to 1200 m2/g). They can be synthesized from organic or inorganic precursors. Silica aerogels are the most often used and have a broad selection of applications. Aerogels are the best known thermal insulators (thermal conductivity < 5 mW/mK) and are nearly inert against molten metal.
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* Synthetic polymers: [[Phenol formaldehyde resin|phenol-formaldehyde]], [[polyacrylate]], [[polystyrene]], [[polyurethane]], [[epoxy]], [[polyimide]] (AeroZero)
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Kistler won the wager and ended up discovering aerogel as a fortuitous bonus. He went on to release his first study about aerogels in the journal Nature in 1931, then patented that the way of generating aerogel on Sept. 21, 1937. From the early 1940s, Kistler signed a contract with Monsanto Company — now an agricultural firm known for selling and developing genetically modified plants. A Monsanto plant in Massachusetts made the first silica-based aerogel products under the trade names Santocel, Santocel-C, Santocel-54, and Santocel-Z. Their first program: a Thickening agent for napalm, makeup, and paints. Aerogel made its way to freezer insulation and cigarette filters.
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* Metal oxides: iron oxide, [[tin oxide]], lanthanide, actinide
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* Carbon: carbon nanotubes
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* Metals: [[gold]], [[copper]]
  
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== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
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aerogel; air glass; frozen smoke; blue smoke; solid air; solid cloud
  
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An Aerogel 3-layer mat consisting of a core of Pyrogel XTE encompassed between layers of E-Glass Needle Mat fiberglass tissue (Skanacid A/S) was found to provide optimal fire protection in a 2023 study (Praestegaard et al.) when used as a cover over a wooden chair.
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Brand names: Santocel (obsolete); Pyrogel; Nanogel; Cryogel; Spaceloft; AeroZero
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== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
 
  
 
==Applications==   
 
==Applications==   
 
* Fire protection
 
* Fire protection
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* Thermal and sound insulation
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* Thickening agent
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* Collection of dust in outer space
  
 
==Risks==
 
==Risks==
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* Structurally strong but can shatter like glass
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* Will dissolve in water unless chemically treated
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==Physical and Chemical Properties==
 
==Physical and Chemical Properties==
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* Can withstand temperatures up to 1200C
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* Particle size averages 2-5 nm
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* Surface area: up to 1200 m2/g
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* Pore size is usually 100nm
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* Porosity greater than 50% with examples of 99.8%
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* Density - 0.2 - 0.5 g/ml
 
* Very lightweight
 
* Very lightweight
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* Thermal conductivity = < 5 mW/mK (inert against molten metal)
  
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==Working Properties==  
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==Working Properties==                  
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* Cannot be fashioned into shaped covers inhouse; must be sewn to measurement by the factory
 
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* Constructed 3-layer mat is very heavy, dense and hard to fold                 
 
  
 
==Resources and Citations==
 
==Resources and Citations==
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* Praestegaard L., G. Sorig Thomsen, K. Woer 'Before the Fire: Experiments on Fire-Protecting Cover Materials', Studies in Conservation, Vol. 68 (1), pp. 1-8, 2023.
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* Institute of Materials Physics in Space: [https://www.dlr.de/mp/en/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-4961/11054_read-25264/ Aerogels]
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* Praestegaard L., G. Sorig Thomsen, K. Woer 'Before the Fire: Experiments on Fire-Protecting Cover Materials', Studies in Conservation, 68(1), 1-8, (2023) [https://doi.org/10.1080/00393630.2021.1978227 link]
 
* Alwin, S., Sahaya Shajan, X. Aerogels: promising nanostructured materials for energy conversion and storage applications. Mater Renew Sustain Energy 9, 7 (2020).
 
* Alwin, S., Sahaya Shajan, X. Aerogels: promising nanostructured materials for energy conversion and storage applications. Mater Renew Sustain Energy 9, 7 (2020).
 
* Skanacid A/S: www.skanacid.dk
 
* Skanacid A/S: www.skanacid.dk
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* Supedium: https://supedium.com/our-universe-space/the-incredible-aerogel/
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* Supedium: [https://supedium.com/our-universe-space/the-incredible-aerogel/ The Incredible Aerogel]
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* Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerogel
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* Aerogel: [http://www.aerogel.org/?p=3 What is Aeogel?]
  
 
[[Category:Materials database]]
 
[[Category:Materials database]]

Latest revision as of 09:44, 8 July 2023

Silica aerogel
Supedium Incredible Aerogel
Crayons on aerogel over flame
NASA: Aerogel
Aerogel Structure (Silica)
Institute of Material Physics in Space

Description

Any synthetic, open-celled solid foam that is composed of a network of interconnected nanostructures. Aerogels are derived from gels in which the liquid has been replaced with gas while retaining the structure of the solid framework. The first aerogel material was created the Samuel Kistler in 1931 using silica gel (patented 1937). The unique properties of aerogels are due to its high surface area and open porous structure that provides extremely low density, as well as low thermal and sound conductivities. Although aerogels may feel fragile to the touch, they have strong structural integrity. They have been used in solar cells, fuel cells, batteries, supercapacitors as well as more mundane things such as paints, cosmetics, coats, rugs, pipes, spill-clean-up kits and insulation. Of particular interest for museums is the aerogels extrodinary ability to minimize heat transfer when used in fire protection blankets (Praestegaard 2023).

Aerogels were first, and most commonly, made from silica (see Aerogel, silica), but they are also been made from:

Synonyms and Related Terms

aerogel; air glass; frozen smoke; blue smoke; solid air; solid cloud

Brand names: Santocel (obsolete); Pyrogel; Nanogel; Cryogel; Spaceloft; AeroZero

Applications

  • Fire protection
  • Thermal and sound insulation
  • Thickening agent
  • Collection of dust in outer space

Risks

  • Structurally strong but can shatter like glass
  • Will dissolve in water unless chemically treated

Physical and Chemical Properties

  • Particle size averages 2-5 nm
  • Surface area: up to 1200 m2/g
  • Pore size is usually 100nm
  • Porosity greater than 50% with examples of 99.8%
  • Density - 0.2 - 0.5 g/ml
  • Very lightweight
  • Thermal conductivity = < 5 mW/mK (inert against molten metal)

Working Properties

Resources and Citations

  • Institute of Materials Physics in Space: Aerogels
  • Praestegaard L., G. Sorig Thomsen, K. Woer 'Before the Fire: Experiments on Fire-Protecting Cover Materials', Studies in Conservation, 68(1), 1-8, (2023) link
  • Alwin, S., Sahaya Shajan, X. Aerogels: promising nanostructured materials for energy conversion and storage applications. Mater Renew Sustain Energy 9, 7 (2020).
  • Skanacid A/S: www.skanacid.dk
  • Supedium: The Incredible Aerogel
  • Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerogel
  • Aerogel: What is Aeogel?

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