Xi\’an Jiaotong University researchers to make progress in the field of ultra-light airgel compressible silicon carbide ceramics research

Since 1931, a silicon oxide Aerogels Since the advent of ceramic airgel to its low density, high porosity and a large specific surface area, excellent oxidation resistance and thermal stability, high temperature insulation field of the catalyst support, filter, and lightweight structural materials exhibit a wide range of applications. However, the conventional ceramic aerogels are basically comprised of an oxide nanoparticles, its practical applications are often limited by the brittleness and the volume shrinkage under high temperature ceramic material (dimensionally stable at a temperature of 600oC silica airgel or less). The brittle ceramic material because of its strong bonding caused To improve its mechanical properties, to be hard from the microstructure of the material. For the above-described problems, materials Xi\’an Transportation University School of Professor Wang Hongjie TF chemical vapor deposition method, a silicon carbide ceramic and the nanowires grown in situ self-assembled to build a lightweight, compressible response, high temperature ceramic airgel. A density of only 5 mg / cm3, porosity of 99.8%, the maximum compressive strain can return more than 70%, having an excellent heat insulation (0.026 W / mK), fire-resistant, oxidation (in air 2 hours tolerable 900oC high temperature) and high temperature (an inert atmosphere for 2 hours may withstand high temperature) properties of 1500oC. Meanwhile, the aerogels also exhibit excellent selective adsorption capacity of organic solvents, adsorption reached 130-237g g-1, in sewage treatment and environmental management also has potential applications. The research results recently with \”Ultralight, Recoverable, and High Temperature Resistant SiC Nanowire Aerogel\” in the title, published online in the international journal ACS Nano (impact factor: 13.942). PhD Su Lei is the first author of the paper, Professor Wang Hongjie corresponding author for the paper, Xi\’an Jiaotong University as the only Author and corresponding author units. The work was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.