The authors present a method of preparation of TiO2 nanotubes by alkaline treatment (with NaOH) of TiO2 particles followed by acid-washing and annealing treatment. Theoretical and experimental studies on the thermal conductivity of TiO2 nanotubes is also presented. The thermal conductivity values determined experimentally matched well with theoretical values obtained. It was found that TiO2 nanotubes had a lower thermal conductivity than the original TiO2 particles. This phenomenon was attributed ...
The authors prepared silica aerogel/polyurethane composites by two different methods for the comparison of the two methods. The objective was to study the thermal insulation and hydrophobic properties of the composites to evaluate their potential for use as fabric membranes. It was found that the composites are better thermal insulators than polyurethane alone, and that they also have improved hydrophobic properties. It was also determined that the thermal conductivities ...
The main objective of this research project was to create a material with a very low thermal conductivity at high temperatures, for the conservation of energy in high temperature systems. To accomplish this goal, the researchers incorporated carbon nanofibers into the mesoporous network of monolithic aerogels, with up to a 20 wt.% through an accelerated-gelation sol-gel process. The synthesis process also involved the use of supercritical drying of the aerogels to ...
