SiO2 Aerogel Preparation Using Reverse Micelle Extraction Drying
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The current preparation methods for silicon dioxide (SiO2) aerogel face challenges such as high production costs due to the use of expensive organic silicon sources and modifiers, limited production capacity, and complex equipment like supercritical drying, which hinder large-scale industrial application.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of inorganic silicon sources, reverse micelle extraction, and ambient-pressure drying is employed, which includes steps like mixing inorganic silicon sources with water and surfactants to form a wet gel, using a reverse micelle extraction solution, and ambient-pressure staged heating drying to produce SiO2 aerogel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If organic silicon sources and organic silane modifiers are used in preparation, then the SiO2 aerogel can be produced, but the production cost is greatly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive organic silicon sources and silane modifiers with inexpensive inorganic silicon sources such as water glass (sodium silicate) and silica sol. This substitution dramatically reduces raw material costs while maintaining the ability to produce SiO2 aerogel with desired properties, directly resolving the contradiction between achieving aerogel production and controlling production cost
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the precursor materials from organic-based to inorganic-based systems. By using inorganic silicon sources and adjusting pH values through acid or base catalysts, the preparation process achieves cost reduction without sacrificing the fundamental aerogel formation mechanism, thereby resolving the cost-performance contradiction
2Manufacturing precision
If supercritical drying technology is adopted, then SiO2 aerogel can be prepared, but the equipment is complicated and high in cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the supercritical drying step from the preparation process entirely. By using inorganic silicon sources that form gels with different properties, the process eliminates the need for complex supercritical equipment, replacing it with simpler ambient-pressure or low-pressure drying methods while still producing quality aerogel
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, complex supercritical drying equipment with simple, inexpensive drying apparatus. The inorganic-based gel system allows for straightforward drying processes using basic laboratory or industrial equipment, dramatically reducing capital investment and operational complexity
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional ambient-pressure drying technology is used, then SiO2 aerogel can be prepared, but complicated solvent replacement steps are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complicated multi-step solvent replacement process from the conventional ambient-pressure drying method. By using inorganic silicon sources that form gels with appropriate properties, the process achieves direct drying without requiring intermediate solvent exchanges, thereby simplifying the procedure and reducing production time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary gel formation using inorganic silicon sources under controlled pH conditions, creating a gel structure that is inherently suitable for direct drying. This preliminary preparation ensures the gel has the right properties for straightforward ambient-pressure drying, eliminating the need for subsequent complex solvent replacement steps
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 method reduces production costs, shortens the production cycle, and results in a high-performance SiO2 aerogel with improved efficiency and environmental sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
uniformly mixing a surfactant, a cosolvent and a low-surface-tension solvent to obtain a reverse micelle extraction solution; mixing the wet gel obtained in the step S100 with the reverse micelle extraction solution obtained in the step S200, and soaking the mixture to obtain a gel
Implementation Method 2
drying the gel obtained in the step S300 to obtain the SiO2 aerogel
Implementation Method 3
the prepared SiO2 aerogel product has excellent performance... ambient-pressure drying technology
Implementation Method 4
uniformly mixing an inorganic silicon source, water, a surfactant and an acid catalyst, and gelating the mixture to obtain a wet gel
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a preparation method for a SiO2 aerogel and a SiO2 aerogel, and belongs to the technical field of chemical coatings. The preparation method for the SiO2 aerogel comprises the following steps: S100: uniformly mixing an inorganic silicon source, water, a surfactant and an acid catalyst, and gelating the mixture to obtain a wet gel; S200: uniformly mixing a surfactant, a cosolvent and a low-surface-tension solvent to obtain a reverse micelle extraction solution; S300: mixing the wet gel obtained in the step S100 with the reverse micelle extraction solution obtained in the step S200, and soaking the mixture to obtain a gel; and S400: drying the gel obtained in the step S300 to obtain the SiO2 aerogel.