Highly elastic and robust hydroxyapatite nanowires/polyimide composite aerogel with anisotropic structure for thermal insulation. (15th October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhu, Jundong; Zhao, Fuxing; Peng, Tangping; Liu, Hao; Xie, Le; Jiang, Chongwen
• Is Part Of: Composites. Number 223(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-10-15
• Subjects: Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs) -- Mechanical properties -- Thermal properties -- Aerogel; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Materials science -- Periodicals; Composite materials; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 620.118
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesb.2021.109081
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-8368

Abstract

Abstract: Advanced composite aerogel materials have attracted much attention due to the unique structure and properties. However, the efficient manufacturing process and structural stability were still a challenge. Herein, a novel hydroxyapatite nanowires/polyimide (HAnws/PI) composite aerogel was synthesized by the ultralong HAnws combined with polyamic acid via directional freezing and thermal imidization. Among them, the HAnws and PI intertwined to form a three-dimensional network structure, which decreased the volume shrinkage of aerogel in thermal imidization from 42.9% to 12.6%, resulting in high porosity (>96%) and low density (0.0329–0.0431 g cm −3 ). In addition, the HAnws/PI aerogel with layered porous structure exhibits obvious anisotropic mechanical properties. The axial specific modulus as high as 78.05 kN m kg −1 and radial high elasticity can withstand 100 cycles of fatigue resistance. Moreover, the lowest radial thermal conductivity at 32.21 mW m −1 K −1 and the maximum of the anisotropy factor was 2.2, which was very suitable for insulation pipes to prevent additional heat loss. Therefore, the novel nanofibers reinforced organic aerogel was expected to provide more abundant functional applications in energy efficiency. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: HAnws can effectively inhibit the volume shrinkage of HAnws/PI aerogel. The composite aerogel with tubular pores was prepared by directional freezing. HAnws/PI aerogel exhibited anisotropic mechanical properties and thermal insulation. HAnws/PI aerogel showed a low radial thermal conductivity and the maximum of the anisotropy factor was 2.2.