Method for producing metal oxide aerogels having densities less than 0.02 g/cc

Patent · Fri Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1993

OSTI ID:869111

Tillotson, Thomas M ^[1]; Poco, John F ^[2]; Hrubesh, Lawrence W ^[3]; Thomas, Ian M ^[2]

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1. Tracy, CA
2. Livermore, CA
3. Pleasanton, CA

A two-step method is described for making transparent aerogels which have a density of less than 0.003 g/cm.sup.3 to those with a density of more than 0.8 g/cm.sup.3, by a sol/gel process and supercritical extraction. Condensed metal oxide intermediate made with purified reagents can be diluted to produce stable aerogels with a density of less than 0.02 g/cm.sup.3. High temperature, direct supercritical extraction of the liquid phase of the gel produces hydrophobic aerogels which are stable at atmospheric moisture conditions. Monolithic, homogeneous silica aerogels with a density of less than 0.02 to higher than 0.8 g/cm.sup.3, with high thermal insulation capacity, improved mechanical strength and good optical transparency, are described.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: Regents of University of California (Oakland, CA)
• Patent Number(s): US 5275796
• OSTI ID: 869111
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

/423/502/516/
003
02
aerogels
atmospheric
capacity
cc
cm
condensed
condensed metal
conditions
densities
density
described
diluted
direct
extraction
homogeneous
hydrophobic
hydrophobic aerogels
improved
improved mechanical
insulation
intermediate
liquid
liquid phase
mechanical
mechanical strength
metal
metal oxide
method
moisture
monolithic
optical
optical transparency
oxide
oxide aerogels
phase
process
produce
produces
producing
producing metal
purified
reagents
silica
silica aerogel
silica aerogels
sol
stable
step method
strength
supercritical
supercritical extraction
temperature
thermal
thermal insulation
transparency
transparent
transparent aerogel
two-step