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Vacuum-dried robust bridged silsesquioxane aerogels
Zhen Wang1, Zhen Dai, Junjie Wu
1Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongguancun North First Street 2, Beijing, China.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|June 21, 2013
Summary
Researchers developed robust, flexible aerogels using thiol-ene clicked bridged silsesquioxane. These durable, low-density materials are easily prepared via vacuum-drying, showing promise for practical applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Aerogels are highly porous materials with unique properties but often suffer from poor mechanical stability.
- Developing robust and flexible aerogels is crucial for expanding their practical applications.
- Silsesquioxane-based materials offer potential for creating advanced aerogels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize robust and flexible aerogels from a novel thiol-ene clicked bridged silsesquioxane precursor.
- To investigate the mechanical properties and durability of the prepared aerogels.
- To demonstrate the feasibility of facile preparation and functionalization for wider applications.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of a thiol-ene clicked bridged silsesquioxane precursor.
- Fabrication of aerogels using a facile vacuum-drying method.
- Characterization of aerogel properties, including density, flexibility, and mechanical robustness through compression testing.
Main Results:
- Successfully obtained robust and flexible aerogels with low densities.
- Demonstrated exceptional mechanical durability, withstanding at least 20 repeated compression cycles.
- Confirmed the potential for further functionalization via wet doping.
Conclusions:
- The developed thiol-ene clicked bridged silsesquioxane aerogels exhibit a promising combination of robustness, flexibility, and low density.
- The facile vacuum-drying preparation method contributes to their practical viability.
- The demonstrated durability and functionalization potential suggest broad applicability in various fields.
