Hydrophobic Silica Aerogels Strengthened with Nonwoven Fibers

Hydrophobic silica aerogels were prepared via a sol‐gel process by surface modification at ambient pressure. Nonwoven fibers were distributed inside the silica aerogels as a composite to act as a supporting skeleton which increased the mechanical property of the silica aerogels. The morphology and pore structure of the composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and N₂ adsorption analyzer. The contact angle and the adsorption capacities of the composites were also determined. The results show that silica aerogels dispersed uniformly and maintained high porosity in the aerogel‐fiber composites. They have excellent hydrophobic properties and are excellent adsorptive materials.

Keywords:

• silica aerogel
• nonwoven fibers
• composites
• ambient pressure drying
• hydrophobic
• adsorption properties

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (contract No. 20133040), Chinese National Foundation of High Technology (2002AA842052), Shanghai Committee of Science and Technology (055211010, 0352nm056, 0452nm088), Shanghai Key Subject Programme, Shanghai Phospher program (05QMH1413), and Trans‐Century Training Programme Foundation for the Talents by the State Education Commission.