The effect of high temperature sol-gel polymerization parameters on the microstructure and properties of hydrophobic phenol-formaldehyde/silica hybrid aerogels.

Phenol-formaldehyde/silica hybrid aerogels with different degree of hydrophobicity were successfully synthesized via high temperature sol-gel polymerization. Tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and methyltriethoxysilane (MTES) were used as precursor and co-precursor of the hydrophobic silica-based phase, respectively. The hydrolysis step of silica based sols were conducted by acid catalyzed reactions and HCl was used as hydrolysis catalyst.

Self-assembled and pyrolyzed carbon aerogels: an overview of their preparation mechanisms, properties and applications.

An overview of the synthesis conditions and mechanisms for the fabrication of different types of carbon aerogels, as well as the structural and functional properties of these materials, is presented here. In this overview, carbon aerogels are classified into three major categories: (i) conventional pyrolyzed organic-based carbon aerogels, which are products of the pyrolysis process of organic aerogels; (ii) self-assembled carbon aerogels, which are products of a reduction process; and (iii) nanocomposite carbon aerogels. Synthesis mechanisms for the sol-gel process of organic aerogels are reviewed using different mechanisms suggested in the literature.

Ablation mechanism of polymer layered silicate nanocomposite heat shield.

Recent advances in polymer layered silicate nanocomposites especially improve flammability resistance; encourage the examination of this unique class of evolving materials as potential ablatives. Polymer layered silicate nanocomposites show excellent potential as ablative heat shields. Determining the thermal diffusivity together with the mass and energy transfer is an important problem encountered in design of heat shield system which pyrolyses and ablates at high temperature.

High temperature ablation of kaolinite layered silicate/phenolic resin/asbestos cloth nanocomposite.

The successful return of re-entry space vehicle, which is subjected to severe aerodynamic heating, is largely accompanied by some provisions to reduce the heat transfer to the structure. Heat shield is the best protection means which undergoes physical, chemical, and mostly endothermal transformations. The objective of this work is to investigate the ablating, charring, and thermal degradation behaviour of heat shield resol-type phenolic resin/kaolinite/asbestos cloth nanocomposite by oxyacetylene flame test with an external heat flux of 8 x 10(9)W/m(2) and 3000 K hot gas temperature and thermal analyzer techniques.