Work

Polymethylsilsesquioxane Aerogel-like Xerogels via a Surfactant-Free Base-Catalyzed Process

Year: 2026

Type: preprint

Abstract: Highly insulating polymethylsilsesquioxane (PMSQ) aerogel-like xerogels were prepared from methyltrimethoxysilane in 2-propanol (IPA)/water using 10 wt % aqueous tetraethylammonium hydroxide in a one-step reaction without an acid step or surfactant. Fine interconnected skeletons were obtained after ambient-pressure drying. Infrared spectroscopy and solid-state 29Si nuclear magnetic resonance indicated fewer residual silanols in the dried material than in a two-step reference. A 20-fold scale-up gave effective thermal conductivities of 0.018 W m−1 K−1 for granular material and 0.021 W m−1 K−1 for a PMSQ-filled panel with a polycarbonate casing at 20 °C. This provides a simple route to insulating granular PMSQ.

Source: ChemRxiv

DOI: 10.26434/chemrxiv.15010592/v1

Authors: Gen Hayase, Yuta Sakurai, Yusaku Azuma, Hironori Kaji

Institutions: National Institute for Materials Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto University Institute for Chemical Research

Language: English

Topic: Aerogels and thermal insulation

Subfield: Materials Chemistry

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, National Institute for Materials Science, Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University

OpenAlex ID: W7222594450

Cites: 33

Cited by:

Related to: 10