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

Patent · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1994

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 (United States)
• 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

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