Abstract
Dual-network aerogels (HPSA) with improved mechanical property and thermal insulation were prepared by vacuum impregnation of HNTs/PVA aerogels (the first network aerogel, HPA) in tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and N2 adsorption–desorption analysis were used to study micromorphology and microstructure of HPSA, while compression tests and thermal conductivity tests were used to investigate related properties. The results showed that the dual-network frame was successfully constructed, this enabled HPSA to display enhanced compressive properties with increased HNTs content. The addition of silica sol improved the mesoporous characteristics including specific surface area and pore volume and also reduced the thermal conductivities. The first network made it possible for HPSA to possess good mechanical property, while SiO2 aerogel allowed HPSA greater thermal insulation. The obtained aerogel samples exhibited a high compressive strength (i.e., 1.36 MPa) and a low thermal conductivity (i.e., 0.022 W/(m K)). HNTs/SiO2 dual-network aerogels with improved strength and thermal insulation could show great potential in a wide variety of applications.
Highlights
-
Novel HNTs/SiO2 dual-network aerogels were successfully prepared through cheap raw materials.
-
The effects of HNTs content on the compressive strength and SiO2 content on the thermal conductivity of aerogels were studied.
-
The effects of dual-network frame on compressive strength and thermal conduction of aerogels were analyzed in detail by models.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Kistler S (1931) Coherent expanded aerogels and jellies. Nature 127:741
Yuan B, Zhang JM, Mi QY, Yu J, Song R, Zhang J (2017) Transparent cellulose-silica composite aerogels with excellent flame retardancy via an in situ sol-gel process. ACS Sustain Chem Eng 5:11117–11123
Amin S, Mohammad RS (2014) Improvements of reinforced silica aerogel nanocomposites thermal properties for architecture applications. Int J Biol Macromol 72:230–234
Wei GS, Zhang YD, Xu C, Du XZ, Yang YP (2017) A thermal conductivity study of double-pore distributed powdered silica aerogels. Int J Heat Mass Transfer 108:1297–1304
Hayase G, Kugimiya K, Ogawa M, Kodera Y, Kanamori K, Nakanishi K (2014) The thermal conductivity of polymethylsilsesquioxane aerogels and xerogels with varied pore sizes for practical application as thermal superinsulators. J Mater Chem A 2:6525–6531
Zu GQ, Shen J, Zou LP, Wang WQ, Lian Y, Zhang ZH, Du A (2013) Nanoengineering super heat-resistant, strong alumina aerogels. Chem Mater 25:4757–4764
Katsoulidis AP, He JQ, Katsoulidis MG (2012) Functional monolithic polymeric organic framework aerogel as reducing and hosting media for Ag nanoparticles and application in capturing of iodine vapors. Chem Mater 24:1937–1943
Schiffres SN, Kim KH, Hu L, Mcgaughey AJH, Islam MF, Malen JA (2012) Gas diffusion, energy transport, and thermal accommodation in single-walled carbon nanotube aerogels. Adv Funct Mater 22:5251–5258
Shang K, Yang JC, Cao ZJ, Liao W, Wang YZ, Schiraldi DA (2017) Novel polymer aerogel toward high dimensional stability, mechanical property, and fire safety. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 9:22985–22993
Fan Y, Ma W, Han D, Gan S, Dong X, Niu L (2015) Convenient recycling of 3D AgX/graphene aerogels (X = Br, Cl) for efficient photocatalytic degradation of water pollutants. Adv Mater 27:3767–3773
Li J, Stling M (2013) Prevention of graphene restacking for performance boost of supercapacitors—a review. Crystals 3:163
Pisal AA, Rao AV (2016) Development of hydrophobic and optically transparent monolithic silica aerogels for window panel applications. J Porous Mater 24:1–11
Schwertfeger F, Hüsing N, Schubert U (1994) Influence of the nature of organic groups on the properties of organically modified silica aerogels. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 2:103–108
Hüsing N, Schubert U (1997) Organofunctional silica aerogels. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 8:807–812
Li CC, Cheng XD, Li Z, Pan YL, Huang YJ, Gong LL (2017) Mechanical, thermal and flammability properties of glass fiber film/silica aerogel composites. J Non-Cryst Solids 457:52–59
Karout A, Buisson P, Perrard A, Pierre AC (2005) Shaping and mechanical reinforcement of silica aerogel biocatalysts with ceramic fiber felts. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 36:163–171
Wang J (1995) Monolithic silica aerogel insulation doped with TiO2 powder and ceramic fibers. J Non-Cryst Solids 186:296–300
Xu L, Jiang Y, Feng J, Yue C (2015) Infrared-opacified Al2O3–SiO2 aerogel composites reinforced by SiC-coated mullite fibers for thermal insulations. Ceram Int 41:437–442
Kim CY, Lee JK, Kim BI (2008) Synthesis and pore analysis of aerogel–glass fiber composites by ambient drying method. Colloid Surf A 313:179–182
Li Z, Cheng XD, He S, Shi XJ, Gong LL, Zhang HP (2016) Aramid fibers reinforced silica aerogel composites with low thermal conductivity and improved mechanical performance. Compos Part A Appl Sci Manuf 99:349–355
Liu HL, Chu P, Li HY, Zhang HY, Li JD (2016) Novel three-dimensional halloysite nanotubes/silica composite aerogels with enhanced mechanical strength and low thermal conductivity prepared at ambient pressure. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 80:651–659
Leventis N (2007) Three-dimensional core–shell superstructures: mechanically strong aerogels. Acc Chem Res 40:874–884
Yang XG, Wei J, Shi DQ, Sun YT, Lv SQ, Feng J, Jiang YG (2014) Comparative investigation of creep behavior of ceramic fiber-reinforced alumina and silica aerogel. Mater Sci Eng R 609:125–130
Yuan B, Ding S, Wang D, Li H (2012) Heat insulation properties of silica aerogel/glass fiber composites fabricated by press forming. Mater Lett 75:204–206
Huang Y, Liu JL (2015) Energy and visual performance of the silica aerogel glazing system in commercial buildings of Hong Kong. Constr Bulid Mater 94:57–72
Zhang Y, Jing OY, Yang HM (2014) Metal oxide nanoparticles deposited onto carbon-coated halloysite nanotubes. Appl Clay Sci 95:252–259
Tayser SG, Abdul AHK, Patina KAM, Ahmed AA, Abu BS, Mohamed HN, Ahed HJ (2017) Unique halloysite nanotubes–polyvinyl alcohol–polyvinylpyrrolidone composite complemented with physico-chemical characterization. Polymers (Basel) 9:207
Cheng ZL, Qin XX, Liu Z, Qin DZ (2017) Electrospinning preparation and mechanical properties of PVA/HNTs composite nanofibers. Polym Adv Technol 28:52–56
Yuan P, Tan D, Annabi-Bergaya F (2015) Properties and applications of halloysite nanotubes: recent research advances and future prospects. Appl Clay Sci 112:75–93
Gaaz TS, Sulong AB, Kadhum AAH, Al-Amiery AA, Nassir MH, Jaaz AH (2017) The impact of halloysite on the thermo-mechanical properties of polymer composites. Molecules 22:838
Lvov Y, Wang WC, Zhang LQ, Fakhrullin R (2016) Halloysite clay nanotubes for loading and sustained release of functional compounds. Adv Mater 28:227–1250
Lvov Y, Abdullayev E (2013) Functional polymer–clay nanotube composites with sustained release of chemical agents. Prog Polym Sci 38:1690–1719
Liu M, Guo B, Du M, Chen F, Jia D (2009) Halloysite nanotubes as a novel β-nucleating agent for isotactic polypropylene. Polymer 50:3022–3030
Rooj S, Das A, Thakur V, Mahaling RN, Bhowmick AK, Heinrich G (2010) Preparation and properties of natural nanocomposites based on natural rubber and naturally occurring halloysite nanotubes. Mater Des 31:2151–2156
Kamble R, Ghag M, Gaikawad S, Panda BK (2012) Halloysite nanotubes and applications: a review. J Adv Sci Res 3:25–29
Zhang AB, Pan L, Zhang HY, Liu ST, Ye Y, Xia MS, Chen XG (2012) Effects of acid treatment on the physico-chemical and pore characteristics of halloysite. Colloid Surf A 396:182–188
Cavallaro G, Donato DI, Lazzara G, Milioto S (2011) Films of halloysite nanotubes sandwiched between two layers of biopolymer: from the morphology to the dielectric, thermal, transparency, and wettability properties. J Phys Chem C 115:20491–20498
Cavallaro G, Lazzara G, Milioto S (2010) Dispersions of nanoclays of different shapes into aqueous and solid biopolymeric matrices. Extended physicochemical study. Langmuir 27:1158–1167
Ferris CJ, Gilmore KJ, Wallace GG, Panhuis MIH (2013) Modified gellan gum hydrogels for tissue engineering applications. Soft Matter 9:3705–3711
Vahedi V, Pasbakhsh P, Chai SP (2015) Toward high performance epoxy/halloysite nanocomposites: new insights based on rheological, curing, and impact properties. Mater Des 68:42–53
Peng WH, Lee YY, Wu C, Wu KCW (2012) Acid–base bi-functionalized, large-pored mesoporous silica nanoparticles for cooperative catalysis of one-pot cellulose-to-HMF conversion. J Mater Chem 22:23181–23185
Zeng S, Reyes C, Liu J, Rodgers PA, Wentworth SH, Sun L (2014) Facile hydroxylation of halloysite nanotubes for epoxy nanocomposite applications. Polymer 55:6519–6528
Lee IW, Li J, Chen X, Park HJ (2015) Electrospun poly(vinyl alcohol) composite nanofibers with halloysite nanotubes for the sustained release of sodium d‐pantothenate. J Appl Polym Sci 133:4
Liu HL, He X, Li HY, Yang AW, Xiao R, Wei N (2017) Preparation and properties of HNTs/SiO2 composite aerogels. J Synth Cryst 46:2277–2282
Cai J, Liu SL, Feng J, Kimura S (2012) Cellulose-silica nanocomposite aerogels by in situ formation of silica in cellulose gel. Angew Chem Int Ed 51:2076–2079
Sai H, Xing L, Xiang J, Cui L (2013) Flexible aerogels based on an interpenetrating network of bacterial cellulose and silica by a non-supercritical drying process. J Mater Chem A 1:7963–7970
Fei ZF, Yang ZC, Chen GB, Li KF, Zhao S, Su GH (2018) Preparation and characterization of glass fiber/polyimide/SiO2 composite aerogels with high specific surface area. J Mater Sci. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-018-2553-4
Alaoui AH, Woignier T, Scherer GW, Phalippou J (2008) Comparison between flexural and uniaxial compression tests to measure the elastic modulus of silica aerogel. J Non-Cryst Solids 354:4556–4561
He C, He YL, Xie T, Liu Q (2013) Predictions of the effective thermal conductivity for aerogel-fiber composite insulation materials using lattice Boltzmann method. J Eng Thermophys 34:742–745
Qu ZG, Fu YD, Liu Y, Zhou L (2018) Approach for predicting effective thermal conductivity of aerogel materials through a modified lattice Boltzmann method. Appl Therm Eng 132:730–739
Lepinasse E, Goetz V, Crosat G (1994) Modelling and experimental investigation of a new type of thermochemical transformer based on the coupling of two solid–gas reactions. Chem Eng Process 33:125–134
Acknowledgements
This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 51772202 and 51472175).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Liu, H., Li, S., Li, H. et al. HNTs/SiO2 dual-network aerogels with improved strength and thermal insulation. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 88, 519–527 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-018-4851-3
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-018-4851-3