POROUS MATERIAL HAVING IMPROVED COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME

摘要

A method of forming a porous material having improved compressive strength includes forming an aerogel precursor, the aerogel precursor including a matrix material and a liquid dispersion medium for dispersing the matrix material. A freeze/thaw cycle is performed on the aerogel precursor, the freeze/thaw cycle including freezing the aerogel precursor so that the dispersion is solidified and thawing the aerogel precursor to liquefy the frozen dispersion medium. The aerogel precursor is frozen so that the dispersion is solidified, and freeze dried to sublime the dispersion medium and form the porous material.