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Carbon Nanomaterials in Silica Aerogel Matrices

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

Christopher E. Hamilton
Affiliation:
chamilton@lanl.gov, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Polymers and Coatings Group, MST-7, Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States
Manuel E Chavez
Affiliation:
mchavez@lanl.gov, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Polymers and Coatings Group, MST-7, Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States
Juan G. Duque
Affiliation:
jduque@lanl.gov, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Physical Chemistry and Applied spectroscopy Group, C-PCS, Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States
Gautam Gupta
Affiliation:
gautam@lanl.gov, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies, MPA-CINT, Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States
Stephen Doorn
Affiliation:
skdoorn@lanl.gov, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies, MPA-CINT, Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States
Andrew M. Dattelbaum
Affiliation:
amdattel@lanl.gov
Kimberly A. DeFriend Obrey
Affiliation:
defriend@lanl.gov, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Polymers and Coatings Group, MST-7, Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States
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Abstract

Silica aerogels are ultra low-density, high surface area materials that are extremely good thermal insulators and have numerous technical applications. However, their mechanical properties are not ideal, as they are brittle and prone to shattering. Conversely, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and graphene-based materials, such as graphene oxide, have extremely high tensile strength and possess novel electronic properties. By introducing SWNTs or graphene-based materials into aerogel matrices, it is possible to produce composites with the desirable properties of both constituents. We have successfully dispersed SWNTs and graphene-based materials into silica gels. Subsequent supercritical drying results in monolithic low-density composites having improved mechanical properties. These nanocomposite aerogels have great potential for use in a wide range of applications.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2010

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