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Li Z, Yao S, Wang G, Deng X, Zhou F, Wu X, Liu Q. Enhancing Water Resistance in Foam Cement through MTES-Based Aerogel Impregnation. Gels 2024; 10:118. [PMID: 38391448 PMCID: PMC10888111 DOI: 10.3390/gels10020118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The propensity of foamed concrete to absorb water results in a consequential degradation of its performance attributes. Addressing this issue, the integration of aerogels presents a viable solution; however, their direct incorporation has been observed to compromise mechanical properties, attributable to the effects of the interface transition zone. This study explores the incorporation of MTES-based aerogels into foamed cement via an impregnation technique, examining variations in water-cement ratios. A comprehensive analysis was conducted, evaluating the influences of MTES-based aerogels on the thermal conductivity, compressive strength, density, chemical composition, and microstructure of the resultant composites across different water-cement ratios. Our findings elucidate that an increment in the water-cement ratio engenders a gradual regularization of the pore structure in foamed concrete, culminating in augmented porosity and diminished density. Notably, aerogel-enhanced foamed concrete (AEFC) exhibited a significant reduction in water absorption, quantified at 86% lower than its conventional foamed concrete (FC) counterpart. Furthermore, the softening coefficient of AEFC was observed to surpass 0.75, with peak values reaching approximately 0.9. These results substantiate that the impregnation of MTES-based aerogels into cementitious materials not only circumvents the decline in strength but also bolsters their hydrophobicity and water resistance, indirectly enhancing the serviceability and longevity of foamed concrete. In light of these findings, the impregnation method manifests promising potential for broadening the applications of aerogels in cement-based materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Li
- School of Resources and Safety Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Shengjie Yao
- School of Resources and Safety Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Guichao Wang
- School of Resources and Safety Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Xi Deng
- School of Resources and Safety Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Fang Zhou
- School of Resources and Safety Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Xiaoxu Wu
- School of Resources and Safety Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Qiong Liu
- School of Resources and Safety Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
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Yang J, Wu H, Liang Y, Cen J, Zhang X. A Comparative Assessment of Different Aerogel-Insulated Building Walls for Enhanced Thermal Insulation Performance. Gels 2023; 9:943. [PMID: 38131929 PMCID: PMC10742779 DOI: 10.3390/gels9120943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Aerogel is widely recognized as a superinsulating material with great potential for enhancing the thermal insulation performance of building walls. It can be applied in various forms such as aerogel plasters (AP), aerogel fibrous composites (AFC), and aerogel concrete (AC) in practical engineering applications. This study aims to investigate the most efficient application form for maximizing building insulation performance while minimizing the amount of aerogel used. To predict the thermal insulation performance of aerogel-insulated walls, a resistance-capacitance network model integrating the aerogels' effective thermal conductivity model was developed and was validated by comparing it with Fluent simulation software results in terms of surface temperature. Using the validated models, the thermophysical parameters, transient thermal properties, and transmission load were predicted and compared among AP, AFC, and AC walls. The results indicate that using AFC can result in approximately 50% cost savings to achieve the same thermal resistance. After adding a 20 mm thickness of aerogel to the reference wall without aerogel, the AFC wall exhibited the highest improvement in thermal insulation performance, reaching 46.0-53.5%, followed by the AP wall, and then the AC wall, aligning with considerations of microstructural perspectives, thermal resistance distributions, and thermal non-uniformity factors. Therefore, giving priority to AFC use could reduce the required amount of silica aerogel and enhance economic efficiency. These results provide valuable insights for theoretical models and the application of aerogel-insulated walls in building engineering insulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianming Yang
- School of Automation, Guangdong Polytechnic Normal University, Guangzhou 510665, China (X.Z.)
| | - Huijun Wu
- School of Civil Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yuying Liang
- Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jian Cen
- School of Automation, Guangdong Polytechnic Normal University, Guangzhou 510665, China (X.Z.)
- Intelligent Building Equipment Information Integration and Control Key Laboratory, Guangzhou 510665, China
| | - Xianyong Zhang
- School of Automation, Guangdong Polytechnic Normal University, Guangzhou 510665, China (X.Z.)
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Welsch T, Vievers Y, Schnellenbach-Held M, Bialuschewski D, Milow B. Comparison of Different Aerogel Granules for Use as Aggregate in Concrete. Gels 2023; 9:gels9050406. [PMID: 37232998 DOI: 10.3390/gels9050406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
In previous work of this group, a structural lightweight concrete was developed by embedding silica aerogel granules in a high-strength cement matrix. This concrete, called high-performance aerogel concrete (HPAC), is a lightweight building material characterized by its simultaneous high compressive strength and very low thermal conductivity. Besides these features, high sound absorption, diffusion permeability, water repellence and fire resistance qualify HPAC as an interesting material for the construction of single-leaf exterior walls without any further insulation. During the development of HPAC, the type of silica aerogel was found to majorly influence both fresh and hardened concrete properties. To clarify these effects, a systematic comparison of SiO2 aerogel granules with different levels of hydrophobicity as well as different synthesis methods was conducted in the present study. The granules were analyzed for their chemical and physical properties as well as their compatibility in HPAC mixtures. These experiments included determinations of pore size distribution, thermal stability, porosity, specific surface and hydrophobicity, as well as fresh/hardened concrete experiments such as measurements of compressive strength, flexural bending strength, thermal conductivity and shrinking behavior. It was found that the type of aerogel has a major influence on the fresh and hardened concrete properties of HPAC, particularly compressive strength and shrinkage behavior, whereas the effect on thermal conductivity is not very pronounced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torsten Welsch
- Institute for Structural Concrete (ISC), University of Duisburg-Essen, 45141 Essen, Germany
| | - Yannick Vievers
- Institute for Structural Concrete (ISC), University of Duisburg-Essen, 45141 Essen, Germany
| | | | - Danny Bialuschewski
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Nanostructured Cellular Materials, University of Cologne (UoC), 50939 Cologne, Germany
| | - Barbara Milow
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Nanostructured Cellular Materials, University of Cologne (UoC), 50939 Cologne, Germany
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Materials Research, Aerogels and Aerogel Composites, 51147 Cologne, Germany
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Foray G, Randrianalisoa JH, Adrien J, Maire E. X-ray Tomography Coupled with Finite Elements, A Fast Method to Design Aerogel Composites and Prove Their Superinsulation Experimentally. Gels 2022; 8:gels8110732. [PMID: 36354640 PMCID: PMC9689696 DOI: 10.3390/gels8110732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Composite aerogels can include fibers, opacifiers and binders but are rarely designed and optimized to achieve the best thermal/mechanical efficiency. This paper proposes a three-dimensional X-ray tomography-based method for designing composites. Two types of models are considered: classical and inexpensive homogenization models and more refined finite element models. XrFE is based on the material’s real three-dimensional microstructure and/or its twin numerical microstructure, and calculates the effective conductivity of the material. First, the three-dimensional sample is meshed and labeled. Then, a finite element method is used to calculate the heat flow in the samples. The entire three-dimensional microstructure of a real or fictitious sample is thus associated with a heat flow and an effective conductivity. Parametric studies were performed to understand the relationship between microstructure and thermal efficiency. They highlighted how quickly a low volume fraction addition can improve or ruin thermal conductivity. A reduced set of three formulations was developed and fully characterized. The mechanical behavior was higher than 50 KPa, with thermal efficiencies ranging from 14 to 15 mW·m·K−1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genevieve Foray
- Université de Lyon, INSA-Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, MATEIS, UMR-5510, 69621 Villeurbanne, France
- Correspondence:
| | - Jaona Harifidy Randrianalisoa
- Institut de Thermique, Mécanique et Matériaux (ITheMM), Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Campus Moulin de la Housse, CEDEX 2, 51687 Reims, France
| | - Jerome Adrien
- Université de Lyon, INSA-Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, MATEIS, UMR-5510, 69621 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Eric Maire
- Université de Lyon, INSA-Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, MATEIS, UMR-5510, 69621 Villeurbanne, France
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Research Development in Silica Aerogel Incorporated Cementitious Composites—A Review. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14071456. [PMID: 35406329 PMCID: PMC9003267 DOI: 10.3390/polym14071456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper presents an analysis of research results for silica aerogel cement composites over the past twenty years. Recently, two trends in the development of these composites have been noted, towards structural applications and towards ultralight composites for coatings and renders. Ongoing research shows that important aspects of cementitious composites with good mechanical performance are the proper selection of aggregates and improved adhesion at the silica aerogel–cement binder interface, which will guarantee high compressive strength with the lowest possible thermal conductivity. The best physicomechanical performance of aerogel cement composites with low thermal conductivity below 0.03 W/(m·K) was obtained when cenospheres and aerogel were used in a weight percentage of 5%. In turn, the prerequisites for using aerogel cement composites as coatings for energy-efficient building façades are the use of large amounts of silica aerogel as a substitute for lightweight aggregates or the selection of an optimal composition of lightweight aggregates and aerogel, ensuring the lowest possible thermal conductivity coefficient. Other important standpoints are water transport and moisture protection of the silica aerogel-based coatings. Therefore, in recent years, more and more elements of the hygrothermal performance, porosity and durability of silica aerogel cement composites have been developed. The article also points out the weaknesses of the application of silica aerogel in the cement matrix, the most important of which are the lack of adhesion at the boundary of the aerogel–cement binder, the increased porosity of the composite, the high water absorption capacity and the significant decrease in compressive strength with large volumes of silica aerogel. Solving these issues will certainly contribute to the wider applicability of these materials in the construction industry.
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Syeda HI, Yap PS. A review on three-dimensional cellulose-based aerogels for the removal of heavy metals from water. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 807:150606. [PMID: 34592292 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Contamination of the aquatic ecosystem by heavy metals is a growing concern that has yet to be addressed with an efficient, cost-effective and environmentally-friendly solution. Heavy metals occur naturally in the earth's crust and also result from anthropogenic activities. Due to the rapid increase in industrialization, there is an increase in consumer demands across various industries such as metal processing, mining sector, agricultural activities, etc. and this has led to an increase in heavy metal concentrations in the aqueous environment. Cellulose-based aerogels are a novel third-generation of aerogels that have recently attracted a lot of attention due to their high adsorption efficiency, eco-friendly prospects and cost effectiveness. In this review, recent literature on cellulose-based aerogel adsorbents used for the removal of heavy metals from aqueous solution has been compiled. The preparation of cellulose-based aerogels, adsorption mechanisms, effects of experimental factors such as pH, temperature, contact time, initial metal concentration and adsorbent dose have been discussed. In addition, cost analysis of cellulose-based adsorbents and some challenges in this research field along with recommendations of improvements have been presented. It can be concluded that functionalizing of cellulose-based aerogels with amine groups, thiol groups, other compounds such as nanobentonite and chitosan results in very high adsorption capacities. The adsorption studies revealed that pseudo-second-order kinetic model was the most commonly encountered adsorption kinetic model, and the most commonly encountered adsorption isotherm model was the Langmuir isotherm model. The main adsorption mechanisms were electrostatic interaction, complexation and ion exchange.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hina Iqbal Syeda
- Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment, Deakin University, Victoria 3216, Australia.
| | - Pow-Seng Yap
- Department of Civil Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou 215123, China
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Ganesan K, Budtova T, Ratke L, Gurikov P, Baudron V, Preibisch I, Niemeyer P, Smirnova I, Milow B. Review on the Production of Polysaccharide Aerogel Particles. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2018; 11:E2144. [PMID: 30384442 PMCID: PMC6265924 DOI: 10.3390/ma11112144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Revised: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
A detailed study of the production of polysaccharide aerogel (bio-aerogel) particles from lab to pilot scale is surveyed in this article. An introduction to various droplets techniques available in the market is given and compared with the lab scale production of droplets using pipettes and syringes. An overview of the mechanisms of gelation of polysaccharide solutions together with non-solvent induced phase separation option is then discussed in the view of making wet particles. The main steps of particle recovery and solvent exchange are briefly described in order to pass through the final drying process. Various drying processes are overviewed and the importance of supercritical drying is highlighted. In addition, we present the characterization techniques to analyse the morphology and properties of the aerogels. The case studies of bio-aerogel (agar, alginate, cellulose, chitin, κ-carrageenan, pectin and starch) particles are reviewed. Potential applications of polysaccharide aerogel particles are briefly given. Finally, the conclusions summarize the prospects of the potential scale-up methods for producing bio-aerogel particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathirvel Ganesan
- German Aerospace Center, Institute of Materials Research, Linder Hoehe, 51147 Cologne, Germany.
| | - Tatiana Budtova
- MINES Paris Tech, PSL Research University, Center for Materials Forming (CEMEF), UMR CNRS 7635, CS 10207, 06904 Sophia Antipolis, France.
| | - Lorenz Ratke
- German Aerospace Center, Institute of Materials Research, Linder Hoehe, 51147 Cologne, Germany.
| | - Pavel Gurikov
- Institute of Thermal Separation Processes, Hamburg University of Technology, Eißendorfer Straße 38, 21073 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Victor Baudron
- Institute of Thermal Separation Processes, Hamburg University of Technology, Eißendorfer Straße 38, 21073 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Imke Preibisch
- Institute of Thermal Separation Processes, Hamburg University of Technology, Eißendorfer Straße 38, 21073 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Philipp Niemeyer
- German Aerospace Center, Institute of Materials Research, Linder Hoehe, 51147 Cologne, Germany.
| | - Irina Smirnova
- Institute of Thermal Separation Processes, Hamburg University of Technology, Eißendorfer Straße 38, 21073 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Barbara Milow
- German Aerospace Center, Institute of Materials Research, Linder Hoehe, 51147 Cologne, Germany.
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9
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Muthuraj R, Grohens Y, Seantier B. Mechanical and thermal insulation properties of elium acrylic resin/cellulose nanofiber based composite aerogels. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoso.2017.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Smirnova I, Gurikov P. Aerogels in Chemical Engineering: Strategies Toward Tailor-Made Aerogels. Annu Rev Chem Biomol Eng 2017; 8:307-334. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-chembioeng-060816-101458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Irina Smirnova
- Institute of Thermal Separation Processes, Hamburg University of Technology, 21073 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Pavel Gurikov
- Institute of Thermal Separation Processes, Hamburg University of Technology, 21073 Hamburg, Germany
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