Aerogel compositions and methods
AssigneeAspen Aerogels, Inc.
InventorsOwen Richard Evans, David J. Mihalcik, Kathryn Elizabeth Dekrafft, Wenting Dong
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Abstract
The present disclosure provides an aerogel composition which is intrinsically hydrophobic without surface modification by a hydrophobizing agent, is durable and easy to handle, which has favorable performance in aqueous environments, and which also has favorable combustion and self-heating properties. Also provided is a method of preparing an aerogel composition which is intrinsically hydrophobic without surface modification by a hydrophobizing agent, is durable and easy to handle, which has favorable performance in aqueous environments, and which has favorable combustion and self-heating properties.
Claims15
A composition comprising a silica-based aerogel including hydrophobic-bound silicon, wherein:
- the silica-based aerogel comprises surface groups consisting essentially of hydrophobic groups of the formula Si—R, where R is a single alkyl group;
- the silica-based aerogel has a content of from about 0.1 wt % to about 2 wt % of guanidinium cations;
- the silica-based aerogel has a content of ammonium salts of about 100 ppm or less;
- the silica-based aerogel is not surface-treated by a hydrophobizing agent;
- and
- the silica-based aerogel has a liquid water uptake of less than 5 wt % as determined by ASTM C1511.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.