Mechanically Robust and Flame-Retardant Silicon Aerogel Elastomers for Thermal Insulation and Efficient Solar Steam Generation.

ABSTRACT: In this work, we report the synthesis of silicon aerogel elastomers (SAEs) by one-pot hydrolytic condensation of silanes, followed by drying at room temperature. The as-synthesized SAE features excellent flexibility and mechanical robustness, for example, a high compressive strength of up to 40 kPa at 75% strain was achieved. Combined with their thermal insulation properties (a low thermal conductivity of ca. 0.02 W m ^-1 K ^-1 in air), for the first time, such SAEs were used as a porous platform for both flame-retardant measurement and solar steam generation. By coating with Mg(OH)₂ via a facile coprecipitation method, the treated SAEs show excellent flame retardancy with a peak heat release rate of 25.61 kW m^-2, in addition to high fire re

SUBMITTER: Liu C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7178343 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature