Silane Oligomer Aerogel Normal Pressure Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for producing silica aerogels face challenges in shaping them into prescribed forms due to significant shrinkage during the drying process, which affects their formability and structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of a specific silane oligomer with a proportion of silicon atoms bonded to three oxygen atoms of 50% or more, along with specific molecular weight and alkoxy group content, is employed to minimize volume shrinkage during drying, allowing for better retention of the wet gel shape and enhanced formability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If normal pressure drying is employed to avoid high pressure process, then capital investment and time are reduced, but the gel tends to shrink due to capillary force
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the gel by controlling the ratio of silicon atoms bonded to three oxygen atoms (T-silicon) to be 50% or more in the silane oligomer. This compositional parameter change modifies the gel's physical properties, specifically its resistance to capillary pressure during drying, enabling shape retention under normal pressure conditions without requiring high pressure equipment.
2Shape
If supercritical drying method is used to prevent gel shrinkage, then shape retention is improved, but capital investment and processing time increase due to high pressure requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces expensive, complex high pressure equipment with simple normal pressure drying equipment by using a specially designed silane oligomer composition. The chemical composition acts as a substitute for the expensive mechanical solution, making the process economically viable and industrially scalable without requiring supercritical drying apparatus.
3Ease of manufacture
If gel shrinkage is reduced through material composition control, then formability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention establishes a specific compositional parameter range (T-silicon content of 50% or more) that provides optimal balance between formability and manufacturing feasibility. This parameter specification enables consistent production of aerogels with minimal shrinkage while maintaining practical manufacturing tolerances through controlled hydrolysis and condensation reactions of the silane oligomer.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach results in an aerogel with minimal volume shrinkage and excellent formability, enabling the production of aerogels with consistent shapes, such as films, while reducing the need for high-pressure processing and capital investment.
Implementation Method 1
a sol generating step of generating, by hydrolyzing a silane oligomer, a sol containing a hydrolysis product of the silane oligomer
Implementation Method 2
a wet gel generating step of obtaining a wet gel by gelation of the sol
Implementation Method 3
a drying step of drying the wet gel to obtain an aerogel
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method for producing an aerogel, comprising a sol generating step of generating, by hydrolyzing a silane oligomer, a sol containing a hydrolysis product of the silane oligomer; a wet gel generating step of obtaining a wet gel by gelation of the sol; and a drying step of drying the wet gel to obtain an aerogel, wherein a proportion of silicon atoms each bonded to three oxygen atoms in a total number of silicon atoms contained in the silane oligomer is 50% or more.