Silica aerogels are highly porous materials exhibiting high surface area and small pore size resulting in material with low density and low thermal conductivity. Cross-linking reactive sites on the surface of the secondary particles of the silica backbone with a polymer increases strength of the aerogel. Research has shown that it is possible to forgo the inorganic component and create a purely organic aerogel such as polyimides, which have a characteristic thermal stability making them useful as higher temperature insulation for aircraft, launch and reentry vehicles, habitats and space suits.  Incorporating carbon nanofibers (CNF) may improve desirable properties of polyimide aerogels.  Polyimide synthesis is carried out by reacting oxydianiline (ODA) and benzophenone-3,3',4,4'-tetracarboxylicdianhydride (BTDA) to form a polyamic acid capped by anhydride groups, then cross-liked with 1,3,5-triaminophenoxybenzene (TAB).   The CNF will remain trapped within the polymer matrix during imidization followed by supercritical CO2 fluid extraction producing polyimide aerogel composites.

Fabrication and characterization of carbon nanofiber/polyimide aerogel composites

241st National Meeting (2011)

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