Embodiments of the disclosure provide an asymmetrically functionalized nanoparticle and a method for synthesizing the same. The asymmetrically functionalized nanoparticle includes a base nanoparticle. The base nanoparticle can include silicon dioxide. The base nanoparticle can have a lipophilic surface. A portion of the surface can be functionalized with a functionalizing material forming a hydrophilic portion. The functionalizing material can include polyethylenimine. A remaining portion of the surface is not functionalized forming a lipophilic portion. The asymmetrically functionalized nanoparticle is amphiphilic.

A silica-blended resin varnish contains a silica sol with a high dispersibility that is dispersed in a ketone organic solvent, in a nitrogen atom-containing polymer. The particles have an average size of 5 to 100 nm and have a carbon-carbon unsaturated bond-containing organic group and an alkoxy group bonded to surfaces thereof. The carbon-carbon unsaturated bond-containing organic group is bonded at 0.5 to 2.0 groups per unit area (nm.sup.2) of the particle surfaces. The alkoxy group is bonded at 0.1 to 2.0 groups per unit area (nm.sup.2) of the particle surfaces. The molar ratio of {(the carbon-carbon unsaturated bond-containing organic group)/(the alkoxy group)} is 0.5 to 5.0. The carbon-carbon unsaturated bond-containing organic group may be a phenyl group-containing organic group or a (meth)acryloyl group-containing organic group. An insulating resin composition contains the silica sol and a nitrogen-containing polymer, which may be polyimide, polyamide, polyamic acid, polyamide-imide, polyetherimide, or polyesterimide.

A silica-blended resin varnish contains a silica sol with a high dispersibility that is dispersed in a ketone organic solvent, in a nitrogen atom-containing polymer. The particles have an average size of 5 to 100 nm and have a carbon-carbon unsaturated bond-containing organic group and an alkoxy group bonded to surfaces thereof. The carbon-carbon unsaturated bond-containing organic group is bonded at 0.5 to 2.0 groups per unit area (nm.sup.2) of the particle surfaces. The alkoxy group is bonded at 0.1 to 2.0 groups per unit area (nm.sup.2) of the particle surfaces. The molar ratio of {(the carbon-carbon unsaturated bond-containing organic group)/(the alkoxy group)} is 0.5 to 5.0. The carbon-carbon unsaturated bond-containing organic group may be a phenyl group-containing organic group or a (meth)acryloyl group-containing organic group. An insulating resin composition contains the silica sol and a nitrogen-containing polymer, which may be polyimide, polyamide, polyamic acid, polyamide-imide, polyetherimide, or polyesterimide.

A method for producing a micron-size spherical silica aerogel having a selectable or controllable average particle size, the method includes producing a surface-modified silica sol by adding a first organosilane compound to a aqueous acid-silica sol, which comprises an inorganic acid and a water glass solution, with a pH less than 3, dispersive mixing a non-polar organic solvent, a second organosilane compound, and the surface-modified silica sol, at a selected stilling rate which is inversely related to an average particle size, without adding any surfactant or dispersant, a micron-size spherical silica hydrogel and further a hydrophobic micron-size spherical silica gel are then produced. Following by drying or stirring the hydrophobic micron-size spherical silica gel to obtain a controllable micron-size silica aerogel in a spherical and powder forms, respectively.

A method for producing a micron-size spherical silica aerogel having a selectable or controllable average particle size, the method includes producing a surface-modified silica sol by adding a first organosilane compound to a aqueous acid-silica sol, which comprises an inorganic acid and a water glass solution, with a pH less than 3, dispersive mixing a non-polar organic solvent, a second organosilane compound, and the surface-modified silica sol, at a selected stilling rate which is inversely related to an average particle size, without adding any surfactant or dispersant, a micron-size spherical silica hydrogel and further a hydrophobic micron-size spherical silica gel are then produced. Following by drying or stirring the hydrophobic micron-size spherical silica gel to obtain a controllable micron-size silica aerogel in a spherical and powder forms, respectively.

Alumina-modified colloidal silica nanoparticles mitigate Alkali Silica Reaction (ASR) in cementitious compositions. Additives containing the nanoparticles are used in methods of reducing ASR in concrete and to form cementitious compositions. Cementitious products, such as concrete, made by these methods are described herein.

Alumina-modified colloidal silica nanoparticles mitigate Alkali Silica Reaction (ASR) in cementitious compositions. Additives containing the nanoparticles are used in methods of reducing ASR in concrete and to form cementitious compositions. Cementitious products, such as concrete, made by these methods are described herein.

The present invention relates to a device for producing an aerogel blanket, and a method for producing an aerogel blanket. The device for producing an aerogel blanket according to present invention is a device for producing an aerogel blanket, including a supply part, which supplies a fiber containing sol, and a conveyor belt which moves the fiber supplied from the supply part, wherein the conveyor belt is provided in multiple levels to move the fiber while reversing the fiber, and a start time at which the conveyor belt reverses the fiber is before fluidity of the sol is completely lost.

The present invention relates to a device for producing an aerogel blanket, and a method for producing an aerogel blanket. The device for producing an aerogel blanket according to present invention is a device for producing an aerogel blanket, including a supply part, which supplies a fiber containing sol, and a conveyor belt which moves the fiber supplied from the supply part, wherein the conveyor belt is provided in multiple levels to move the fiber while reversing the fiber, and a start time at which the conveyor belt reverses the fiber is before fluidity of the sol is completely lost.

Alumina-modified colloidal silica nanoparticles mitigate Alkali Silica Reaction (ASR) in cementitious compositions. Additives containing the nanoparticles are used in methods of reducing ASR in concrete and to form cementitious compositions. Cementitious products, such as concrete, made by these methods are described herein.