Organic–inorganic hybridization for the synthesis of robust in situ hydrophobic polypropylsilsesquioxane aerogels with fast oil absorption properties

Abstract

In situ hydrophobic and mechanically robust polypropylsilsesquioxane aerogels (PSAs) were successfully synthesized via an organic–inorganic hybridization method by a sol–gel process.

Novel multifunctional polymethylsilsesquioxane–silk fibroin aerogel hybrids for environmental and thermal insulation applications

“…Silsesquioxane and other aerogels1,2 are promising candidates for a wide range of applications, including thermal insulation in construction and space industries,3–5 catalysis and photocatalysis supports,6 environmental cleaning,7–9 and pharmaceutical and biomedical applications10,11 due to their outstanding physical properties, which include very low density, high porosity and high specific surface area 1,2,12–15. However, besides these extraordinary properties, traditional silica, and other oxide aerogels are typically very fragile 16.…”

Vinyl-Methyl Substituted Silica Aerogel-Like Hybrids as Effective Oil/Organic Solvent Sorbents

“…Regardless of the selected sorbent, as the viscosity and density of the oils/organic compounds increased, their adhesion to the surface of adsorbents also increased, resulting in a higher adsorption capacity (Table S3) [69]. As reported in previous studies, there is a linear relationship between the absorbed mass and the surface tension of the organic liquid, and oils have higher surface tension values (up to 40 mN/m) than alkanes or alcohols (18-23 mN/m) [33,70]. In line with this, in this study, all samples exhibited a higher sorption capacity for organic oils than for alkanes or aromatics.…”

“…Typically, TEOS-derived silica aero/xerogels exhibit extremely delicate and fragile structures. Fortunately, the versatility of the sol-gel method allows the incorporation of different organic functional groups to the silica network to improve its low mechanical strength and tune its hydrophobic pro le [31][32][33][34]. Methyl-and vinyl-functionalized silica precursors (methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS), methyltriethoxysilane (MTES), vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMS), and vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES)) are the most studied and preferred precursors for the synthesis of organically modi ed silica aerogels (ORMOSIL) aerogels [35][36][37][38][39][40][41].…”

Silica Aerogel-Rubber Composite: A Sustainable Alternative for Buildings’ Thermal Insulation

“…However, they have limitations in their mechanical strength and are complex to process without causing fractures in the final material [ 8 ]. Different approaches have been explored to improve the mechanical properties of silica aerogels [ 9 ], such as structural reinforcement using flexible silica precursors in silica gel backbone [ 10 , 11 ], dispersing fibers in the initial sol of silica aerogel [ 12 ] and conformal coating of silica backbone by surface cross-linking with a polymer [ 13 , 14 , 15 ].…”