Mechanically reinforced composite aerogel blocks by self-growing nanofibers

Abstract

Here we report the preparation of mechanically reinforced composite aerogels using self-growing nanofibers. This approach was used to grow ZrO_x nanofibers with a chemical imbalance in the SiO₂ precursor solution and establish the property–structure relationship between the mechanical properties and self-growing nanofibers of ZrO_x/SiO₂ aerogels. As-synthesized ZrO_x/SiO₂ aerogels show a high compressive strength (9.68 MPa) and high BET surface area (827.22 m² g⁻¹). These novel ZrO_x/SiO₂ aerogels could be used as thermal isolates.