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Sodium silicate-derived aerogels: effect of processing parameters on their applications
Minju N1,2,3, Balagopal N Nair4,5, Savithri S1,2,3
1Material Science and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Government of India Thiruvananthapuram Kerala 695019 India.
RSC Advances
|April 15, 2022
Summary
Sodium silicate-derived silica aerogels offer exceptional properties like low density and thermal conductivity. This review explores their synthesis, tunable properties, and diverse applications in insulation, optics, and catalysis.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Inorganic Chemistry
Background:
- Silica aerogels are advanced porous materials with unique physical and chemical properties.
- Traditional synthesis often involves expensive precursors and complex drying methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the synthesis, properties, and applications of inorganic silica aerogels derived from sodium silicate.
- To highlight recent advancements and potential future developments in the field.
Main Methods:
- Sol-gel processing is a key methodology for producing these high-grade porous materials.
- Ambient pressure drying offers a cost-effective alternative to supercritical drying.
Main Results:
- Sodium silicate aerogels exhibit ultra-low density, high porosity, and excellent thermal insulation.
- Properties like hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity can be tuned by adjusting the synthetic procedure.
- High specific surface area and optical transmittance are also notable characteristics.
Conclusions:
- Silica aerogels from sodium silicate are versatile materials with tunable properties.
- Their unique characteristics enable a wide range of applications, from thermal insulation to catalysis.
- Continued research promises further innovation in aerogel technology.
