Elastic, low density epoxy/clay aerogel composites

Clay aerogels are ultra-low density materials formed by the freeze-drying of aqueous clay gels. While unmodified clay aerogels exhibit generally poor mechanical properties, incorporation of polymers into these structures can greatly increase their strengths and moduli; such polymer/clay aerogel comp...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of materials chemistry 2007-01, Vol.17 (33), p.3525-3529
Main Authors: ARNDT, Eric M, GAWRYLA, Matthew D, SCHIRALDI, David A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science
rheology
Exact sciences and technology
Materials science
Other materials
Physics
Specific materials
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Summary:Clay aerogels are ultra-low density materials formed by the freeze-drying of aqueous clay gels. While unmodified clay aerogels exhibit generally poor mechanical properties, incorporation of polymers into these structures can greatly increase their strengths and moduli; such polymer/clay aerogel composites have potential for use in a range of structural and insulation applications. Polymer/clay aerogel composites were formed by a new process in which water-soluble thermoset epoxy precursors are reacted within a clay hydrogel, which is then freeze-dried to produce the polymer/clay aerogel composites. The compressive properties of these polymer/clay aerogel composites greatly exceed those of plain clay aerogels; moreover, some of these composites exhibit novel elastomeric behavior, withstanding and recovering large amounts of compressive strain without failure or significant permanent deformation.
ISSN:0959-9428
1364-5501
DOI:10.1039/b704114d