Performance Optimization of Silicon Aerogel and In-Depth Research on its Thermal Insulation Performance in Various Fabric Structures
摘要
This study successfully synthesized high-performance silica aerogel with a continuous three-dimensional network structure via a sol-gel process. Compared with traditional insulating materials, this aerogel achieves superior thermal insulation efficiency per unit thickness due to its unique nanoporous structure. The material exhibited a high specific surface area of 888.65 m2/g and an average pore diameter of 62.3 nm, contributing to its exceptional thermal insulation properties. After hydrophobic modification, the aerogel achieved a water contact angle of 144°, confirming excellent hydrophobicity. This work systematically evaluated the thermal insulation performance of the aerogel applied as a coating and an interlayer in fabric composites. Key quantitative results demonstrate that the optimal thermal insulation was achieved with a 7 wt% aerogel content in an interlayer fabric structure. Under standard heat exposure testing (120 s), the backside temperature of the blank interlayer fabric stabilized at 31.5 °C, while that of the 7% aerogel-modified fabric stabilized at only 30.5 °C, resulting in a stable temperature difference of 1.0 °C. This corresponds to a 3.2% reduction in heat transfer, highlighting a significant improvement in thermal barrier performance. The findings validate the practical applicability of silica aerogel as an efficient thermal functional layer in flexible fabric composites, offering a lightweight, high-performance solution for thermal management in areas such as industrial protective clothing, building energy efficiency, and specialized apparel.