Synthesis and Characterization of Fibre Reinforced Silica Aerogel Blankets for Thermal Protection

Using tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) as the source of silica, fibre reinforced silica aerogels were synthesized via fast ambient pressure drying using methanol (MeOH), trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS), ammonium fluoride (NH4F), and hexane. The molar ratio of TEOS/MeOH/(COOH)2/NH4F was kept constant at 1 : 38 ...

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Main Authors: S. Chakraborty, A. A. Pisal, V. K. Kothari, A. Venkateswara Rao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2016-01-01
Series:Advances in Materials Science and Engineering
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/2495623
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author S. Chakraborty
A. A. Pisal
V. K. Kothari
A. Venkateswara Rao
author_facet S. Chakraborty
A. A. Pisal
V. K. Kothari
A. Venkateswara Rao
author_sort S. Chakraborty
collection DOAJ
description Using tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) as the source of silica, fibre reinforced silica aerogels were synthesized via fast ambient pressure drying using methanol (MeOH), trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS), ammonium fluoride (NH4F), and hexane. The molar ratio of TEOS/MeOH/(COOH)2/NH4F was kept constant at 1 : 38 : 3.73 × 10−5 : 0.023 and the gel was allowed to form inside the highly porous meta-aramid fibrous batting. The wet gel surface was chemically modified (silylation process) using various concentrations of TMCS in hexane in the range of 1 to 20% by volume. The fibre reinforced silica aerogel blanket was obtained subsequently through atmospheric pressure drying. The aerogel blanket samples were characterized by density, thermal conductivity, hydrophobicity (contact angle), and Scanning Electron Microscopy. The radiant heat resistance of the aerogel blankets was examined and compared with nonaerogel blankets. It has been observed that, compared to the ordinary nonaerogel blankets, the aerogel blankets showed a 58% increase in the estimated burn injury time and thus ensure a much better protection from heat and fire hazards. The effect of varying the concentration of TMCS on the estimated protection time has been examined. The improved thermal stability and the superior thermal insulation of the flexible aerogel blankets lead to applications being used for occupations that involve exposure to hazards of thermal radiation.
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spelling doaj-art-3d5dbccfbd784c19b264290afa7851442025-08-20T02:39:09ZengWileyAdvances in Materials Science and Engineering1687-84341687-84422016-01-01201610.1155/2016/24956232495623Synthesis and Characterization of Fibre Reinforced Silica Aerogel Blankets for Thermal ProtectionS. Chakraborty0A. A. Pisal1V. K. Kothari2A. Venkateswara Rao3Department of Textile Technology, IIT, New Delhi 110016, IndiaAir Glass Laboratory, Department of Physics, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra 416 004, IndiaDepartment of Textile Technology, IIT, New Delhi 110016, IndiaAir Glass Laboratory, Department of Physics, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra 416 004, IndiaUsing tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) as the source of silica, fibre reinforced silica aerogels were synthesized via fast ambient pressure drying using methanol (MeOH), trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS), ammonium fluoride (NH4F), and hexane. The molar ratio of TEOS/MeOH/(COOH)2/NH4F was kept constant at 1 : 38 : 3.73 × 10−5 : 0.023 and the gel was allowed to form inside the highly porous meta-aramid fibrous batting. The wet gel surface was chemically modified (silylation process) using various concentrations of TMCS in hexane in the range of 1 to 20% by volume. The fibre reinforced silica aerogel blanket was obtained subsequently through atmospheric pressure drying. The aerogel blanket samples were characterized by density, thermal conductivity, hydrophobicity (contact angle), and Scanning Electron Microscopy. The radiant heat resistance of the aerogel blankets was examined and compared with nonaerogel blankets. It has been observed that, compared to the ordinary nonaerogel blankets, the aerogel blankets showed a 58% increase in the estimated burn injury time and thus ensure a much better protection from heat and fire hazards. The effect of varying the concentration of TMCS on the estimated protection time has been examined. The improved thermal stability and the superior thermal insulation of the flexible aerogel blankets lead to applications being used for occupations that involve exposure to hazards of thermal radiation.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/2495623
spellingShingle S. Chakraborty
A. A. Pisal
V. K. Kothari
A. Venkateswara Rao
Synthesis and Characterization of Fibre Reinforced Silica Aerogel Blankets for Thermal Protection
Advances in Materials Science and Engineering
title Synthesis and Characterization of Fibre Reinforced Silica Aerogel Blankets for Thermal Protection
title_full Synthesis and Characterization of Fibre Reinforced Silica Aerogel Blankets for Thermal Protection
title_fullStr Synthesis and Characterization of Fibre Reinforced Silica Aerogel Blankets for Thermal Protection
title_full_unstemmed Synthesis and Characterization of Fibre Reinforced Silica Aerogel Blankets for Thermal Protection
title_short Synthesis and Characterization of Fibre Reinforced Silica Aerogel Blankets for Thermal Protection
title_sort synthesis and characterization of fibre reinforced silica aerogel blankets for thermal protection
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/2495623
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AT aapisal synthesisandcharacterizationoffibrereinforcedsilicaaerogelblanketsforthermalprotection
AT vkkothari synthesisandcharacterizationoffibrereinforcedsilicaaerogelblanketsforthermalprotection
AT avenkateswararao synthesisandcharacterizationoffibrereinforcedsilicaaerogelblanketsforthermalprotection