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Novel flexible, hybrid aerogels with vinyl- and methyltrimethoxysilane in the underlying silica structure

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Abstract

Flexible, monolithic and superhydrophobic silica aerogels were obtained by combining methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS), vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMS) and tetramethylorthosilicate (TMOS) (50:30:20 mol%) in a one-step base-catalyzed co-precursor sol–gel procedure. Polybutylacrylate (PBA) and polystyrene (PS) were grafted and cross-linked in the gel aiming to enhance the mechanical performance. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry analysis and scanning electron microscopy confirmed the presence of the polymers as a binding coating on the 3D silica network, primarily formed by firmly connected 3–5 μm secondary particles. When compared to the MTMS-based aerogels, the VTMS–MTMS–TMOS-derived aerogels, either reinforced or not, show a threefold increase of the bulk density (to ~150–160 kg m−3) and a consequent decrease in the surface area and average pore size; the thermal conductivity also increases to 60–70 mW m−1 K−1, a 50 % increase over the values of MTMS-derived aerogels. Although these tendencies are more marked in the polymer-reinforced materials, the change of the silica skeleton from MTMS to VTMS–MTMS–TMOS is responsible for the main differences. The VTMS–MTMS–TMOS underlying structure gives a fourfold increase in compressive strength relatively to the MTMS-derived aerogels, even when not reinforced. In addition, it retains a high elongation at break (40–50 %) and flexibility—modulus of 25 kPa for the PBA-reinforced aerogel, the more flexible aerogel, and modulus of 91 kPa for PS-reinforced aerogel, the stiffer and stronger material. The obtained aerogels have touch feeling that resembles that of expanded polystyrene foams, and also show negligible particle shedding, which is a valued characteristic for aerospace applications.

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Acknowledgements

This work was funded by FEDER funds through the Operational Programme for Competitiveness Factors—COMPETE and National Funds, through FCT—Foundation for Science and Technology under the projects PTDC/EQU–EPR/099998/2008—GelSpace—Silica-based Aerogels for Insulation of Spatial Devices, PEst-C/EQB/UI102/2011 and PEst-C/EQB/UI102/2013. Mara Braga acknowledges FCT for the fellowship SFRH/BPD/101048/2014 and for Programa Ciência 2008. The authors also acknowledge Active Aerogels for collaborating in this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CIEPQPF, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Rua Sílvio Lima, 3030-790, Coimbra, Portugal

    Telma Matias, Catarino Varino, Hermínio C. de Sousa, Mara E. M. Braga, António Portugal & Luisa Durães

  2. CEMUC, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Rua Sílvio Lima, 3030-790, Coimbra, Portugal

    Jorge F. J. Coelho

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  1. Telma Matias
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  2. Catarino Varino
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  3. Hermínio C. de Sousa
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  4. Mara E. M. Braga
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  5. António Portugal
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  6. Jorge F. J. Coelho
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  7. Luisa Durães
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Correspondence to Luisa Durães.

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Matias, T., Varino, C., de Sousa, H.C. et al. Novel flexible, hybrid aerogels with vinyl- and methyltrimethoxysilane in the underlying silica structure. J Mater Sci 51, 6781–6792 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-016-9965-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-016-9965-9

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