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Robust and Thermally Stable Silicone Aerogels with Hyperconnected Network via Kinetically Optimized Hyperbranched
Aoqing Yan1,2, Guixiang Li2, Yaolan Li1
1Key Laboratory of Specially Functional Polymeric Materials and Related Technology (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|March 31, 2026
Summary
We developed a novel kinetic-control strategy to create robust silicone aerogels (PSA). This method overcomes the strength-thermal stability trade-off, yielding materials with enhanced mechanical properties and thermal resistance.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- High-performance silicone aerogels face limitations due to the mechanical strength-thermal stability trade-off.
- Traditional methods result in heterogeneous networks, hindering optimal material properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a kinetic-control strategy for precise construction of robust and thermally stable silicone aerogels.
- To overcome the inherent trade-off between mechanical strength and thermal stability in silicone aerogels.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a kinetic-control strategy involving co-condensation of novel hyperbranched siloxane-amino/epoxy (SAE) nodes with linear polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMS).
- Employed temperature-regulated polycondensation of SAE precursors to exploit kinetic disparities, promoting intermolecular crosslinking.
- Achieved uniform incorporation of flexible segments and abundant reactive sites within the aerogel network.
Main Results:
- Synthesized a silicone aerogel (PSA) with a hyperconnected network, exhibiting high compressive strength (7.1 MPa) and low density (0.32 g·cm⁻³).
- Achieved low thermal conductivity (0.032 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹) and high char yield (68% at 800°C) in the optimized PSA.
- Developed a quartz-fiber composite (PSC) with high tensile strength (28.1 MPa) and excellent thermal insulation and ablation resistance up to 1000°C.
Conclusions:
- The reactivity-programmed assembly establishes a new paradigm for decoupling strength and thermal stability in hybrid aerogels.
- This approach enables the creation of advanced silicone aerogels with superior mechanical and thermal performance for demanding applications.
