Effect of surfactant on the structure and properties of mesoporous SiO2 aerogel materials

doi:10.19491/j.issn.1001-9278.2025.04.013

Abstract

Abstract:

A mesoporous SiO₂ aerogel was synthesized by using a surfactant⁃assisted templating sol⁃gel technique through graded ambient pressure drying. The effects of surfactants on the microstructure， thermal conductivity， and thermal stability of the as⁃synthesized SiO₂ aerogel were investigated. The results indicated that the introduction of surfactants not only could avoid the solvent exchange process in the conventional sol⁃gel method but also could regulate the porous structure of the SiO₂ aerogel. The SiO₂ aerogel exhibited a low thermal conductivity of 0.018~0.035 W m^-1K^-1， a high specific surface area of 469.56~692.07 m²/g， and good hydrophobicity with a contact angle of 136.7 °~151.8 °. This study provides an effective method for low⁃cost preparation of SiO₂ aerogel with excellent performance， and the resultant aerogel can be used as thermal insulation and heat preservation materials in the building and industrial fields.

Key words: surfactant-assisted, SiO₂ aerogel, ambient pressure drying, low thermal conductivity

CLC Number:

TQ320.66

LEI Qifeng. Effect of surfactant on the structure and properties of mesoporous SiO₂ aerogel materials[J]. China Plastics, 2025, 39(4): 69-74.

Figures/Tables 6

Fig.1. Synthesis flowchart of silica aerogels prepared with surfactant

样品	表观密度/ g·cm^-3	孔隙率/%	比表面积/m²·g^-1	平均孔径/ nm	孔体积/ cm³·g^-1
S₁	0.208	90.34	469.56	39.75	3.95
S₂	0.203	90.89	480.70	33.91	2.80
S₃	0.184	91.42	475.20	30.38	2.65
S₁⁃500	0.162	95.25	580.12	19.43	2.49
S₂⁃500	0.152	95.23	644.52	15.56	2.04
S₃⁃500	0.148	96.63	692.07	12.71	0.89

Tab.1. Summary of the textural properties of silica aerogels prepared with various surfactants

Fig.2. N2 adsorption⁃desorption isotherms and pore⁃size distributions of silica aerogels

Fig.3. TEM of silica aerogels prepared with different surfactants before and after heat treatment at 500 ℃

Fig.4. FTIR and TG curves of the silica aerogels

Fig.5. Digital photographs of the water contact angles

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Effect of surfactant on the structure and properties of mesoporous SiO₂ aerogel materials

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