Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-g7gxr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-09T07:16:08.480Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Resorcinol-Formaldehyde and Carbon Aerogel Microspheres

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 February 2011

C. T. Alviso
Affiliation:
Chemistry and Materials Science Directorate Lawrence Livemore National Laboratory Livermore, CA 94550
R. W. Pekala
Affiliation:
Chemistry and Materials Science Directorate Lawrence Livemore National Laboratory Livermore, CA 94550
J. Gross
Affiliation:
Chemistry and Materials Science Directorate Lawrence Livemore National Laboratory Livermore, CA 94550
X. Lu
Affiliation:
Physikalisches Institut, Universität, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
R. Caps
Affiliation:
Physikalisches Institut, Universität, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
J. Fricke
Affiliation:
Physikalisches Institut, Universität, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
Get access

Abstract

Aerogels are a unique class of materials possessing an open-cell structure with ultrafine cells/pores (<100nm), high surface area (400–1100 m2/g), and a solid matrix composed of interconnected particles, fibers, or platelets with characteristic dimensions of 10nm. Although monolithic aerogels are ideal candidates for many applications (e.g. transparent window insulation), current processing methods have limited their introduction into the commercial marketplace. Our research focuses on the formation of resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) aerogel microspheres which offer an attractive alternative to monolith production. An inverse emulsion polymerization is used to produce these spherical gel particles which undergo solvent exchange followed by supercritical drying with carbon dioxide. This process yields aerogel microspheres (10–80μ diameter) which can be used as loosely packed powders, compression molded into nearnet shapes using a polymer binder, or used as additives in conventional foaming operations to produce new aerogel composites with superior thermal properties. The emulsification procedure, thermal characterization, mechanical properties, and potential applications of RF aerogel microspheres will be discussed.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1996

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

[1] Pekala, R. W. and Alviso, C. T., Mater. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc., 180, 791 (1990).Google Scholar
[2] Pekala, R. W., J. Mater. Sci., 24, 3221 (1989).Google Scholar
[3] Pekala, R. W. and Kong, F. M., J. Phys. Coil. Suppl., 50(4), C433 (1989).Google Scholar
[4] Pekala, R. W. and Kong, F. M., Polym. Prpts., 30(1), 221 (1989).Google Scholar
[5] Pekala, R. W. and Alviso, C. T., in Novel Forms of Carbon, Renschler, C. L., Pouch, J. J., and Cox, D. M., eds., MRS Symp. Proc. 270, 3 (1992).Google Scholar
[6] Pekala, R. W., Alviso, C. T., and LeMay, J. D., in Chemical Processing of Advanced Materials, Hench, L. L. and West, J. K., eds., (New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1992), pp. 671683.Google Scholar
[7] Pekala, R. W., Alviso, C. T., Kong, F. M., and Hrubesh, L. W., Organic Aerogel Microspheres, C&MS Annual Report Google Scholar
[8] Pekala, R. W., Alviso, C. T., Lu, X., Caps, R., and Fricke, J., Am. Chem. Soc. Proc., (1995).Google Scholar
[9] Lu, X., Arduini-Schuster, M. C., Kuhn, J., Nilsson, O., Fricke, J., and Pekala, R. W., “Thermal Conductivity of Monolithic Organic Aerogels,” Science, 255, 971 (1992).Google Scholar
[10] Nilsson, O., Ruschenpohler, G., Gross, J., and Fricke, J., High Temp.-High Pressures,21, 267 (1989).Google Scholar