In the frontier field of materials science, aerogel is like a bright new star, subverting people's cognition of traditional materials with its extraordinary characteristics and opening up new changes in many fields.
Aerogel is a solid material with extremely low density. Its birth is due to a unique preparation process. Through the sol-gel method, precursors such as silicon sources are hydrolyzed and condensed in solution to form wet gels, and then the solvent is removed by supercritical drying technology to retain the nanoporous structure, which creates the light and feather-like characteristics of aerogel. Its density can be as low as 3 mg per cubic centimeter, even lighter than air. Holding it in your hand is like holding a ball of "solidified air".
Excellent thermal insulation performance is a trump card of aerogel. In the field of aerospace, it serves as a thermal insulation shield for spacecraft, which can effectively block extreme external temperatures, ensure the normal operation of instruments and equipment in the cabin, and help humans explore the depths of the universe. In the construction industry, aerogel is made into thermal insulation materials and embedded in walls, which greatly reduces building energy consumption and makes great contributions to energy conservation and emission reduction.
Aerogel also has a strong adsorption capacity. It can absorb pollutants such as oil and organic solvents as efficiently as a sponge absorbs water. It is used in the field of environmental protection to treat industrial wastewater and oil leakage accidents, and the purification effect is remarkable.
Not only that, the high specific surface area of aerogel gives it potential in the field of catalysis. As a catalyst carrier, it can accelerate the process of chemical reactions. With the continuous exploration of scientific researchers, aerogel is gradually overcoming shortcomings such as high cost and poor mechanical properties, and is widely integrated into more fields such as automobile manufacturing and electronic equipment heat dissipation. It carries scientific and technological progress with a light posture and becomes a key force in shaping the future world.