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Three-dimensional Patterning Super-Black Silica-Based Nanocomposite Aerogels.
Zhiyang Zhao1,2, Romain Civioc1, Wei Liu2
1Laboratory for Building Energy Materials and Components, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, 8600, Empa, Dübendorf, Switzerland.
Nano-Micro Letters
|August 20, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed 3D printable super-black aerogels by combining silica and carbon materials. These advanced aerogels offer exceptional thermal insulation and high photothermal conversion efficiency for applications like solar water production.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Advanced Composites
Background:
- Aerogels are ultra-lightweight, porous materials known for excellent thermal insulation.
- Their nanostructure can enhance light absorption when combined with specific materials.
- Developing multifunctional materials with tunable properties is an ongoing research area.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create 3D printable super-black composite aerogels with enhanced photothermal properties.
- To optimize the silica-to-resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) ratio for improved material characteristics.
- To investigate the thermal, optical, and electrical properties of the resulting silica-carbon aerogels.
Main Methods:
- Incorporation of mesoporous silica aerogel particles into a resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) sol.
- Optimization of the silica-to-RF ratio for direct ink writing (DIW) 3D printing.
- Pyrolysis of printed green bodies to form silica-carbon aerogel composites.
Main Results:
- Achieved uniform carbon coatings on silica pore walls with optimized silica loading.
- Demonstrated excellent shape fidelity and mechanical strength in 3D printed structures.
- Obtained super-black coloration (99.56% absorption) and high photothermal conversion efficiency (94.2%).
- Confirmed stable electrical conductivity and low electrochemical impedance of the silica-carbon aerogels.
Conclusions:
- The developed 3D printable silica-carbon aerogels exhibit synergistic super-black and photothermal properties.
- These materials are highly versatile for multifunctional applications, including thermal management and solar-driven water production.
