The invention relates to a process for preparing a gelled, dried composition forming a monolithic aerogel with a heat conductivity of less than or equal to 40 mW.Math.m.sup.−1.Math.K.sup.−1 and derived from a resin of polyhydroxybenzene(s) and formaldehyde(s), to this aerogel composition and to the use thereof. This process comprises: a) polymerization in an aqueous solvent of said polyhydroxybenzene(s) and formaldehyde(s) in the presence of an acidic or basic catalyst, to obtain a solution based on the resin, b) gelation of the solution obtained in a) to obtain a gel of the resin, and c) drying of the gel to obtain a dried gel. According to the invention, step a) is performed in the presence of a cationic polyelectrolyte dissolved in this solvent, and the process also comprises a step d) of heat treatment under inert gas of the dried gel obtained in step c) at temperatures of between 150° C. and 500° C. to obtain the non-pyrolyzed aerogel whose heat conductivity is substantially unchanged, even after exposure to a humid atmosphere.

A fiber reinforced insulation product may include a first layer of fiber reinforced aerogel composite and a second layer of fiber reinforced aerogel composite. The first layer may include entangled fibers, aerogel particles dispersed within the entangled fibers, and a first binder that may form a first binding framework that bonds the entangled fibers and the aerogel particles of the first layer together. The second layer may include entangled fibers, aerogel particles dispersed within the entangled fibers, and a second binder that may form a second binding framework that bonds the entangled fibers and the aerogel particles of the second layer together. The fiber reinforced insulation product may further include a third binder that may form a third binding framework that bonds the first layer and the second layer together. The third binder may be dispersed throughout the first layer and the second layer.

The present disclosure provides an aerogel composition which is intrinsically hydrophobic without surface modification by a hydrophobizing agent, is durable and easy to handle, which has favorable performance in aqueous environments, and which also has favorable combustion and self-heating properties. Also provided is a method of preparing an aerogel composition which is intrinsically hydrophobic without surface modification by a hydrophobizing agent, is durable and easy to handle, which has favorable performance in aqueous environments, and which has favorable combustion and self-heating properties.

Proposed are a polyimide aerogel having a controlled particle size and pore structure, and a method for producing the same. More particularly, proposed are a polyimide aerogel in which not only can the particle size of a polyimide resin be controlled, but the pore structure of the polyimide aerogel can also be controlled through an organic solvent mixture, and a method for producing the polyimide aerogel. This can be achieved through: a first step of preparing a solvent; a second step of synthesizing a polyamic acid resin by reacting a diamine-based monomer and an acid anhydride monomer in the solvent; a third step of forming a polyimide resin through imidization of the polyamic acid resin by subjecting the polyamic acid resin to a high-temperature reaction at 150 to 200° C.; a fourth step of forming a polyimide wet-gel by crosslinking the polyimide resin; and a fifth step of forming a polyimide aerogel by replacing the solvent included in the polyimide wet-gel with a solvent having a relatively lower boiling point than the solvent included in the polyimide wet-gel and then removing the solvent.

The present invention discloses novel porous polymeric compositions comprising random copolymers of amides, imides, ureas, and carbamic-anhydrides, useful for the synthesis of monolithic bimodal microporous/macroporous carbon aerogels. It also discloses methods for producing said microporous/macroporous carbon aerogels by the reaction of a polyisocyanate compound and a polycarboxylic acid compound, followed by pyrolytic carbonization, and by reactive etching with CO.sub.2 at elevated temperatures. Also disclosed are methods for using the microporous/macroporous carbon aerogels in the selective capture and sequestration of carbon dioxide.

The present invention describes various methods for manufacturing gel composite sheets using segmented fiber or foam reinforcements and gel precursors. Additionally, rigid panels manufactured from the resulting gel composites are also described. The gel composites are relatively flexible enough to be wound and when unwound, can be stretched flat and made into rigid panels using adhesives.

Carbogel anode materials and method for their preparation are disclosed. The described carbogels exhibit, at a temperature of 20° C., an electrical conductance of at least 0.5 S/cm and a reversible electrochemical capacity in relation to lithium of at least 350 mAh/g under a C/2 discharge current, enabling their use for preparation of anode materials, particularly those intended for preparation of lithium-ion cells.

A method of preparing acicular metal-silica composite aerogel particles by adjusting an aspect ratio of the acicular shape through the adjustment of concentrations of an acidic solution, a solution including a metal salt, and a water glass solution which are reactants, and acicular metal-silica composite aerogel particles prepared thereby. The method prepares acicular metal-silica composite aerogel particles in a short period of time under mild conditions of low temperature and atmospheric pressure, the process is simple, and production costs are reduced in comparison to a conventional preparation method, and thus, productivity and economic efficiency are excellent. When the acicular metal-silica composite aerogel particles are used as an additive of a polymer resin, physical properties, such as viscosity and thixotropy, are improved.

Disclosed herein is a polysaccharide aerogel comprising cotton cellulose fibres and a method of preparing the polysaccharide aerogel. The method comprises: mixing cotton cellulose fibres and a cross-linker to form a mixture; sonicating the mixture; freezing the sonicated mixture; and freeze drying the frozen mixture to form an aerogel. A further embodiment provides a polysaccharide aerogel comprising cotton cellulose fibres and paper cellulose fibres in a weight ratio of 1:1 to 1:6 and a method of preparation thereof wherein in the mixing step, the paper cellulose fibres are added to the cotton cellulose fibres to form a mixture.

Aerogel materials, aerogel composites, and the like may be improved by the addition of opacifiers to reduce the radiative component of heat transfer. Such aerogel materials, aerogel composites, and the like may also be treated to impart or improve hydrophobicity. Such aerogel materials and methods of manufacturing the same are described.