01 Transition from gel to aerogel

Under certain conditions, a certain concentration of polymer solution or sol will gradually increase its viscosity and eventually lose its liquid fluidity, turning into an elastic semi-solid with uniform appearance and a certain form, which is called gel. If the gel is filled with gas, another gel will be formed, that is, aeronenenebc gel. Although this material has a lightweight appearance and a fragile touch, it is actually very strong and can even withstand pressures exceeding 1000 times its own weight. Its nanoscale pores make it difficult for both hot and cold air to penetrate, making it a solid material with extremely low thermal conductivity.

▲ Manufacturing process of aerogel
The manufacturing process of aerogel is quite magical. Firstly, four types of raw materials are required: methyl silicate, methanol, concentrated ammonia water, and water. These raw materials are mixed in a certain proportion, and then stirred, mixed, cleaned, dried and other steps to finally form aerogel. In the manufacturing process, formaldehyde is used to clean the impurities in the pores of gel, and the supercritical drying process is the key step to transform gel into aerogel. During this process, carbon dioxide will replace formaldehyde in the sol and bring the carbon dioxide inside the sol to a supercritical state through heating and pressure. In the end, supercritical carbon dioxide diffuses out of it without destroying the solid framework of the sol, thus transforming it into a transparent solid. Most of the internal space is occupied by air, and the aerogel is completed.


02 Application and prospect of aerogel

▲ Unique properties and enhanced applications
Aerogel, known as one of the ten major materials that can change the world, shows remarkable characteristics. It not only possesses many unique properties on its own, but also can comprehensively enhance traditional materials such as metals and textiles when combined with them, thus giving birth to numerous disruptive high-tech products. Its porous structure makes the aerogel excellent in adsorption performance, which can easily absorb impurities and oil stains in water, even harmful substances such as lead and mercury, and become an ideal environmental protection material.

▲ Environmental protection and safety applications
The thermal insulation properties of aerogel are also widely used in the safety protection fields such as firemen's fireproof clothing, aerospace clothing, cold resistant clothing, and the manufacturing of sports goods such as tennis rackets. With the acceleration of the industrialization process of aerogel, its wide application in industry, construction, transportation and other fields will lead the industry reform and promote industrial upgrading.