Polymer aerogels with high surface areas and low densities have numerous applications, including insulation, low dielectric substrates and catalyst supports. Organic polymers can suffer from high flammability, which limits their use.  A hybrid of polymeric aerogel and inorganic nanoparticles was produced by ice-templating of a polymer solution, followed by a sol-gel process which infiltrated the structure with silica. Compared to the pristine polymer aerogel, the composite aerogel exhibited excellent fire resistance and superior mechanical properties. By controlling the sol-gel process conditions, different morphologies could be achieved, further modifying flammability properties of the composite.

Tough, low flammability polymer aerogels incorporating inorganic nanoparticles

251st National Meeting (2016)

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