Heat-resistant, strong titania aerogels achieved by supercritical deposition

• Titania aerogels are prepared via a novel supercritical deposition method.
• The nanoparticles are reinforced and mechanical strength is effectively enhanced.
• Crystal growth upon heat treatment is effectively restricted.
• The resulting aerogel shows enhanced heat resistance.

Heat-resistant, strong titania aerogels are prepared via a novel supercritical deposition method. This deposition process is based on deposition by partially hydrolyzed titanium alkoxide and alkoxysilane during high-temperature supercritical fluid drying. The nanoparticles are significantly reinforced, and the crystal growth of titania upon heat treatment is effectively restricted by supercritical deposition, which leads to the enhanced mechanical strength and heat resistance of titania aerogels. The Young’s modulus of the resulting titania aerogel is enhanced up to 4.2 MPa. The specific surface area of the optimized titania aerogel increases up to 147 m2/g and the corresponding linear shrinkage decreases to as low as 11% after heat treatment at 1000 °C. This may significantly contributed to the high-temperature applications of titania aerogels in thermal insulations, catalysts, catalyst supports, etc.

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