Synthesis of lightweight polymer-reinforced silica aerogels with improved mechanical and thermal insulation properties for space applications

- A streamline procedure to synthesize strong silica aerogels is presented.
- Relative merit of aryl/alkyl linked bis-silane precursors were evaluated.
- Mechanical strength was improved dramatically with only doubling the density.
- Cross-linking reduced the extent of porosity and thermal insulation performance.
- Thermal insulation and surface area were improved for aryl linked silica aerogels.