Fast and Minimal‐Solvent Production of Superinsulating Silica Aerogel Granulate. Issue 17 (23rd March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huber, Lukas; Zhao, Shanyu; Malfait, Wim J.; Vares, Sirje; Koebel, Matthias M.
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie international edition. Volume 56:Issue 17(2017)
• Page Start: 4753
• Page End: 4756
• Publication Date: 2017-03-23
• Subjects: life-cycle assessment -- production technology -- silica aerogels -- solvents -- thermal insulation; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.201700836
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1433-7851

Abstract

Abstract: With their low thermal conductivity ( λ ), silica aerogels can reduce carbon emissions from heating and cooling demands, but their widespread adoption is limited by the high production cost. A one‐pot synthesis for silica aerogel granulate is presented that drastically reduces solvent use, production time, and global warming potential. The inclusion of the hydrophobization agent prior to gelation with a post‐gelation activation step, enables a complete production cycle of less than four hours at the lab scale for a solvent use close to the theoretical minimum, and limits the global warming potential. Importantly, the one‐pot aerogel granulate retains the exceptional properties associated with silica aerogel, mostly λ =14.4±1.0 mW m −1 ⋅K −1 for the pilot scale materials, about half that of standing air (26 mW m −1 ⋅K −1 ). The resource‐, time‐, and cost‐effective production will allow silica aerogels to break out of its niche into the mainstream building and industrial insulation markets. Abstract : Solving the solvent problem : Silica aerogels are ideal thermal insulation materials, but are expensive owing to the large solvent consumption during their production. A simplified synthesis combines all reagents in a single step and minimizes the production time, solvent use, and carbon footprint, but retains the outstanding properties associated with silica aerogels.