A molecular dynamics study of the thermal conductivity of nanoporous silica aerogel, obtained through negative pressure rupturing

► We use molecular dynamics (MD) to reproduce and simulate solid silica aerogel. ► We then use non-equilibrium MD to investigate the thermal conductivity. ► The thermal conductivity decreases almost linearly with decreasing aerogel density. ► Results also scale with similar exponent as sintered aerogel. ► The current MD schemes can reproduce structure and thermal conductivity of aerogel.