Synergistic Infrared Shading Effects Endowing Core-Shell SiC@C Fibrous Aerogel with Ultrahigh Temperature Resistance...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Ceramic Engineering

Background:

• Advanced thermal insulation is crucial for high-temperature applications.
• Traditional ceramic aerogels face limitations in thermal conductivity and stability above 1500°C.
• Demand for ultralight, compressible, and stable materials is increasing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel ceramic fibrous aerogel with enhanced thermal insulation and high-temperature stability.
• To overcome the limitations of conventional ceramic aerogels.
• To explore the potential of core-shell SiC@C structures for extreme thermal protection.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a core-shell silicon carbide (SiC) and carbon (C) fibrous aerogel using optimized centrifugal spinning.
• High-temperature sintering of the SiC@C aerogel.
• Characterization of structural, mechanical, and thermal insulation properties under extreme conditions (up to 2100°C).

Main Results:

• An ultralight SiC@C fibrous aerogel (density: 20.5 mg cm⁻³) with a 3D interlocked lamellar structure was successfully fabricated.
• The aerogel demonstrated remarkable thermal stability up to 2100°C in argon and 1600°C in air, retaining its structure and compressibility.
• Record-breaking thermal insulation was achieved, with an ultralow thermal conductivity of 82.3 mW(m·K)⁻¹ at 1000°C.

Conclusions:

• The novel SiC@C fibrous aerogel exhibits exceptional thermomechanical properties and superior thermal insulation.
• Its robust performance under extreme temperatures makes it a promising candidate for advanced thermal protection systems.
• Optimized fabrication and core-shell design are key to achieving high-performance ceramic aerogels.