Process for preparing epoxy-reinforced silica aerogels

摘要

One-pot reaction process for preparing epoxy-reinforced monolithic silica aerogels comprising the reaction of at least one silicon compound selected from the group consisting of alkoxysilanes, orthosilicates and combination thereof in any ratio with effective amounts of an epoxy monomer and an aminoalkoxy silane to obtain an epoxy monomer-silica sol in solution, subsequently preparing an epoxy-monomer silica gel from said silica sol solution followed by initiating polymerization of the epoxy monomer to obtain the epoxy-reinforced monolithic silica aerogel.

主权项

1. A one-pot process for preparing a polymer-reinforced monolithic silica aerogel which comprises:
providing a one-pot process for preparing a polymer-reinforced monolithic silica aerogel capable of reacting at least one silicon compound selected from the group consisting of an orthosilicate, an alkoxysilane and a combination thereof with effective amounts of multifunctional cross-linking agent and an aminoalkoxy silane in an alcohol solution, wherein the multifunctional cross-linking agent does not react with alcohol but is soluble in alcohol; wherein the molar ratio of cross-linking agent to the aminoalkoxy silane is stoichiometric to obtain a silica sol in solution also containing the cross-linking agent; subsequently forming a silica gel which contains said cross-linking agent in the solution phase of the gel; subjecting said gel to conditions that promote reaction of said cross-linking agent to silica gel; and drying said polymer reinforced silica gel to obtain the polymer-reinforced monolithic silica aerogel.