A composition and method for prod Icing the ultra-tough nanocomposite aerogel are disclosed. The ultra-tough nanocomposite aerogel may include a dispersion of at least one filler in an aerogel. This method is used to improve the mechanical properties of aerogel by preserving the microstructural and thermal properties of the aerogel, as the addition of the filler leads to an increase in the mechanical properties without any significant increase in the density.

A composition and method for prod Icing the ultra-tough nanocomposite aerogel are disclosed. The ultra-tough nanocomposite aerogel may include a dispersion of at least one filler in an aerogel. This method is used to improve the mechanical properties of aerogel by preserving the microstructural and thermal properties of the aerogel, as the addition of the filler leads to an increase in the mechanical properties without any significant increase in the density.

A method for producing silica aerogel according to the present invention includes: a solation step of generating a sol by adding monoalkyltrialkoxysilane to an acidic aqueous solution containing silicic acid; and a gelation step of generating a wet gel by gelating the sol. Moreover, the production method includes a drying step of removing a solvent, which is contained in the wet gel, from the wet gel by drying the wet gel at less than a critical temperature of the solvent and at less than a critical pressure of the solvent. Then, the monoalkyltrialkoxysilane is added to the acidic aqueous solution so that an amount of silicon in the monoalkyltrialkoxysilane becomes 1 mol part or more with respect to 1 mol part of an amount of silicon in the acidic aqueous solution containing the silicic acid.

A method for producing silica aerogel according to the present invention includes: a solation step of generating a sol by adding monoalkyltrialkoxysilane to an acidic aqueous solution containing silicic acid; and a gelation step of generating a wet gel by gelating the sol. Moreover, the production method includes a drying step of removing a solvent, which is contained in the wet gel, from the wet gel by drying the wet gel at less than a critical temperature of the solvent and at less than a critical pressure of the solvent. Then, the monoalkyltrialkoxysilane is added to the acidic aqueous solution so that an amount of silicon in the monoalkyltrialkoxysilane becomes 1 mol part or more with respect to 1 mol part of an amount of silicon in the acidic aqueous solution containing the silicic acid.

A method for producing a silica aerogel, includes: (i) adding an electroconductive polymer to the sol of an aqueous alkaline silicate solution to convert the sol to a gel; (ii) aging the gel to cause said gel to grow; (iii) hydrophobizing the gel; and (iv) drying the gel. Further provided is a silica aerogel including an electroconductive polymer. Still further provided is a heat-insulation material, including the above-described silica aerogel and fibers.

A method for producing a silica aerogel, includes: (i) adding an electroconductive polymer to the sol of an aqueous alkaline silicate solution to convert the sol to a gel; (ii) aging the gel to cause said gel to grow; (iii) hydrophobizing the gel; and (iv) drying the gel. Further provided is a silica aerogel including an electroconductive polymer. Still further provided is a heat-insulation material, including the above-described silica aerogel and fibers.

Provided are a preparation method of a silica aerogel-containing blanket which includes mixing a water glass solution, a polar organic solvent, and a silazane-based surface modifier to prepare a sol, preparing a silica gel-base material composite by immersion and gelation of a base material for a blanket in the sol, and drying the silica gel-base material composite, and a silica aerogel-containing blanket prepared by using the preparation method. A silica aerogel-containing blanket having a high degree of hydrophobicity as well as excellent physical properties, particularly, low tap density, high porosity, and excellent mechanical flexibility may be prepared by the minimal use of a surface modifier without a surface modification step by the above method.

Provided are a preparation method of a silica aerogel-containing blanket which includes mixing a water glass solution, a polar organic solvent, and a silazane-based surface modifier to prepare a sol, preparing a silica gel-base material composite by immersion and gelation of a base material for a blanket in the sol, and drying the silica gel-base material composite, and a silica aerogel-containing blanket prepared by using the preparation method. A silica aerogel-containing blanket having a high degree of hydrophobicity as well as excellent physical properties, particularly, low tap density, high porosity, and excellent mechanical flexibility may be prepared by the minimal use of a surface modifier without a surface modification step by the above method.

Provided are a preparation method of a silica aerogel-containing blanket which includes mixing a water glass solution, a polar organic solvent, and a silazane-based surface modifier to prepare a sol, preparing a silica gel-base material composite by immersion and gelation of a base material for a blanket in the sol, and drying the silica gel-base material composite, and a silica aerogel-containing blanket prepared by using the preparation method. A silica aerogel-containing blanket having a high degree of hydrophobicity as well as excellent physical properties, particularly, low tap density, high porosity, and excellent mechanical flexibility can be prepared by the minimal use of a surface modifier without a surface modification step by the above method.

Provided are a preparation method of a silica aerogel-containing blanket which includes mixing a water glass solution, a polar organic solvent, and a silazane-based surface modifier to prepare a sol, preparing a silica gel-base material composite by immersion and gelation of a base material for a blanket in the sol, and drying the silica gel-base material composite, and a silica aerogel-containing blanket prepared by using the preparation method. A silica aerogel-containing blanket having a high degree of hydrophobicity as well as excellent physical properties, particularly, low tap density, high porosity, and excellent mechanical flexibility can be prepared by the minimal use of a surface modifier without a surface modification step by the above method.