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Author(s): , , , , ,

Keywords: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Abstract: The authors present a method of increasing the structural stability of silica aerogels by producing flexible aerogel composites by electrospinning and sol-gel processing. Three composites, each reinforced with one of three different polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) microstructures, were prepared in order to determine the effects of these microstructures on the mechanical and thermal properties of the composites. It was found that the compressive strength and flexibility of the composites were significantly improved over those of the pristine aerogel, while the thermal conductivity was relatively unchanged.

Reference: Journal of Nanomaterials, 2013 (2013) 8 pages

DOI: 10.1155/2013/375093