The Chinese Academy of Sciences has new results, Kevlar aerogel fiber insulation effect is more than down

Aerogels with low density, high porosity and large specific surface area are considered to be the most promising insulation materials for the next generation. However, after aerogels are made into fiber materials, their weak mechanical properties and complicated manufacturing processes Greatly limited its application.

Recently, the nano Suzhou CAS researchers recently developed a "super insulation materials" - airgel nano fibers made of Kevlar, compared to conventional insulation materials, the new material can be very low ( -196 ° C) with a very high temperature (300 ° C) for a long time to maintain thermal insulation properties, and has relatively good mechanical properties. It is expected to replace microfibers and even subvert the down, becoming the main development direction of the next generation of warm fibers. Related research results have recently been published in the American Chemical Society? Nano (ACS Nano).

The new "super insulation material" is an aerogel made from DuPont's Kevlar fiber. The researchers introduced that the Kevlar fiber is made into a nanofiber dispersion, and the dispersion is made into a hydrogel fiber by wet spinning. Finally, the special drying technique is used for dehydration, so that the Kev can be prepared relatively easily. Pull the gel.

Experimental tests have shown that the new material can exert cold and heat insulation in the range of -196 ° C to 300 ° C. In the -60 ° C environment, its insulation capacity is 2.8 times that of cotton fiber. Compared with the two best artificial insulation fiber materials on the market - hollow fiber and microfiber, Kevlar aerogel fiber has better insulation performance.

(a) aerogel fiber fabric (b) hollow fiber mat (c) cotton fabric (d) microfiber mat

Colored Kevlar aerogel fabric

Different fabric thermal conductivity and density