Superelastic Triple-Network Polyorganosiloxane-Based Aerogels as Transparent Thermal Superinsulators and Efficient Separators
Guoqing Zu, Kazuyoshi Kanamori, Xiaodong Wang, Kazuki Nakanishi, Jun Shen
Abstract
We report new polyorganosiloxane aerogels with superhydrophobicity, high elasticity, and high bendability based on polyvinyl-poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PVPDMS)/polymethylsilsesquioxane (PMSQ). They are synthesized by a radical polymerization/co-polycondensation strategy that involves radical polymerization of vinyldimethylmethoxysilane to obtain chainlike polyvinyldimethylmethoxysilane (PVDMMS) polymers followed by hydrolytic co-polycondensation of PVDMMS polymers and methyltrimethoxysilane combined with ambient pressure drying without any post-gelation modifications. The resultant PVPDMS/PMSQ aerogels exhibit a highly tunable triple-network structure consisting of flexible inter-cross-linked hydrocarbon polymers, poly(dimethylsiloxane), and PMSQ. The aerogels with a low content of PVPDMS exhibit small pore sizes (2–80 nm), good transparency, high surface areas, and thermal superinsulation (λ = 0.0148 W m–1 K–1), while those with a high content of PVPDMS exhibit large pore sizes (100 nm–3 μm) and excellent selective absorption for organic liquids. In addition, incorporation of graphene oxide (GO) in PVPDMS/PMSQ aerogels can afford highly flexible PVPDMS/PMSQ/GO composite aerogels, which show efficient separation of three-component water/oil/dye mixtures. These aerogels are promising in the practical applications of thermal insulation, absorption/adsorption, and separation.