USE OF REPEATED FREEZE/THAW CYCLES TO PRODUCE AEROGELS WITH IMPROVED COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH

摘要

A method of forming a porous material having improved compressive strengthincludes forming an aerogel precur-sor,the aerogel precursor including a matrix material and a liquid dispersionmedium for dispersing the matrix material. Afreeze/thaw cycle is performed on the aerogel precursor, the freeze/thaw cycleincluding freezing the aerogel precursor so that thedispersion is solidified and thawing the aerogel precursor to liquefy thefrozen dispersion medium. The aerogel precursor is frozenso that the dispersion is solidified, and freeze dried to sublime thedispersion medium and form the porous material.