Porous three-dimensional networks of polyurea and porous three-dimensional networks of carbon and methods of their manufacture are described. In an example, polyurea aerogels are prepared by mixing an triisocyanate with water and a triethylamine to form a sol-gel material and supercritically drying the sol-gel material to form the polyurea aerogel. Subjecting the polyurea aerogel to a step of pyrolysis may result in a three dimensional network having a carbon skeleton, yielding a carbon aerogel. The density and morphology of polyurea aerogels can be controlled by varying the amount of isocyanate monomer in the initial reaction mixture. A lower density in the aerogel gives rise to a fibrous morphology, whereas a greater density in the aerogel results in a particulate morphology. Polyurea aerogels described herein may also exhibit a reduced flammability.

The present invention provides compositions and methods related to aerogel materials, including polyimide-based aerogels. In particular, aerogel materials optimized to have certain physical and chemical properties such as flexural and compressive strength are provided. In some embodiments, the aerogel materials can be at least partially carbonized.

A crosslinkable composition comprises: A1) at least one multifunctional isocyanate-terminated urethane prepolymer comprising between 1 and 16 isocyanate functionalities on average, the prepolymer being a product of the reaction of a diisocyanate, a triisocyanate or a polyisocyanate with a functionality strictly greater than 3, with a polyol comprising 1 to 8 hydroxyl groups; and/or A2) at least one mono, di or polyisocyanate and/or an oligoglycerol; with B) at least one macropolyol chosen from: B1) oligoglycerols with an average degree of polymerisation less than or equal to 7, B2) glycerol dendrimers, B3) linear, branched or hyperbranched polyglycerols with a degree of polymerisation greater than or equal to 8, B4) mixtures of hyperbranched polyglycerols and linear, branched or hyperbranched oligoglycerols, with a degree of polymerisation of between 2 and 7, optionally functionalised.

A molding based on a monolithic organic aerogel has a density in the range from 60 to 300 kg/m.sup.3 and a thermal conductivity in the range from 12 to 17.8 mW/m*K. The molding based on a monolithic organic aerogel has more than 30 vol.-% of pores with a diameter of less than 150 nm, and more than 20 vol.-% of pores with a diameter of less than 27 nm, based on the total pore volume. A process can be used to prepare the molding by compression.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a polyurethane foam, in particular an aerogel, from at least one polyisocyanate and at least one optionally recycled polyol, and to the use thereof.

The present invention provides compositions and methods related to aerogel materials, including polyimide-based aerogels. In particular, aerogel materials optimized to have certain physical and chemical properties such as flexural and compressive strength are provided. In some embodiments, the aerogel materials can be at least partially carbonized.

An aerogel hybrid and a method for preparing the aerogel hybrid. The aerogel hybrid includes a resin composition and a plurality of aerogel particles. The resin composition may fill the interstitial space between the plurality of aerogel particles. The aerogel hybrid may be produced by preparing the aerogel and preparing the resin composition, blending the aerogel and the resin composition together to form an aerogel hybrid and curing the aerogel hybrid for providing an aerogel hybrid containing resin mixture with the ability to fit large amounts of aerogel into the resin to enhance the aerogel's physical properties.

The present invention provides compositions and methods related to aerogel materials, including polyimide-based aerogels. In particular, aerogel materials optimized to have certain physical and chemical properties such as flexural and compressive strength are provided. In some embodiments, the aerogel materials can be at least partially carbonized.

Porous three-dimensional networks of polyurea and porous three-dimensional networks of carbon and methods of their manufacture are described. In an example, polyurea aerogels are prepared by mixing an triisocyanate with water and a triethylamine to form a sol-gel material and supercritically drying the sol-gel material to form the polyurea aerogel.

Subjecting the polyurea aerogel to a step of pyrolysis may result in a three dimensional network having a carbon skeleton, yielding a carbon aerogel. The density and morphology of polyurea aerogels can be controlled by varying the amount of isocyanate monomer in the initial reaction mixture. A lower density in the aerogel gives rise to a fibrous morphology, whereas a greater density in the aerogel results in a particulate morphology. Polyurea aerogels described herein may also exhibit a reduced flammability.

A (super)hydrophobic isocyanate based organic aerogel/xerogel/cryogel having a water contact angle of at least 90° comprising: a cross-linked porous network structure made of polyurethane and/or polyisocyanurate and/or polyurea, and hydrophobic compounds having before the gelling step at least one isocyanate-reactive group and no isocyanate groups
Characterized in that said hydrophobic compounds are covalently bonded within the porous network of the aerogel/xerogel/cryogel and wherein said bondings are created during the gelling step of the formation of the isocyanate based organic aerogel/xerogel/cryogel cross-linked porous network structure.