Poly(etheretherketone) (PEEK) aerogels exhibit high strengths and low densities, which make them excellent for aerospace applications. Previously, PEEK aerogels have been made from gelation in toxic solvents such as dichloroacetic acid and 4-chlorophenol, resulting in globular aerogel morphologies. Recently, we have gelled PEEK from the generally non-toxic solvent, diphenyl acetone. When PEEK is gelled by cooling from a heated diphenyl acetone solution, a strong, strutlike morphology is formed. After solvent removal, aerogel densities were found to be as low as 0.0936 g/cc. We found the modulus at low densities to be 3.1 MPa. It is believed that the strutlike morphology allows the efficient distribution of stresses, thereby enhancing the strength of the aerogels at low densities. Additionally, the aerogels had high surface areas of up to 220 m<sup>2</sup>/g.

Strutlike PEEK aerogels with enhanced compressive properties

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