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Strong, Thermally Superinsulating Biopolymer–Silica Aerogel Hybrids by Cogelation of Silicic Acid with Pectin
Author(s) -
Zhao Shanyu,
Malfait Wim J.,
Demilecamps Arnaud,
Zhang Yucheng,
Brunner Samuel,
Huber Lukas,
Tingaut Philippe,
Rigacci Arnaud,
Budtova Tatiana,
Koebel Matthias M.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.201507328
Subject(s) - aerogel , biopolymer , materials science , silicic acid , pectin , nanocomposite , brittleness , composite material , hybrid material , polymer , chemical engineering , nanotechnology , chemistry , biochemistry , engineering
Silica aerogels are excellent thermal insulators, but their brittle nature has prevented widespread application. To overcome these mechanical limitations, silica–biopolymer hybrids are a promising alternative. A one‐pot process to monolithic, superinsulating pectin–silica hybrid aerogels is presented. Their structural and physical properties can be tuned by adjusting the gelation pH and pectin concentration. Hybrid aerogels made at pH 1.5 exhibit minimal dust release and vastly improved mechanical properties while remaining excellent thermal insulators. The change in the mechanical properties is directly linked to the observed “neck‐free” nanoscale network structure with thicker struts. Such a design is superior to “neck‐limited”, classical inorganic aerogels. This new class of materials opens up new perspectives for novel silica–biopolymer nanocomposite aerogels.