A novel Yb2SiO5 ceramic aerogel with excellent thermal stability for high-temperature thermal insulation

To investigate the potential of rare earth oxide structural ceramics for high-temperature insulation applications, we introduced aerogel structures into Yb2SiO5 ceramics. In this study, the pure Yb2SiO5 ceramic aerogels were successfully prepared by calcination using formamide as a gelling agent, the sol-gel method, and the CO2 supercritical drying method. The results indicate that the Yb2SiO5 ceramic aerogel exhibits exceptional structural and phase stability at a temperature of 1400 degrees C. In addition, we have developed Yb2SiO5 ceramic aerogel composites reinforced with aluminosilicate fiber cotton, which exhibit low density (228.77 kg m-3) and low thermal conductivity (0.038 W m- 1 K- 1 at 25 degrees C, 0.102 W m- 1 K- 1 at 1000 degrees C). The back temperature of the 10 mm thick composites is only 285 degrees C after exposure to a butane blowtorch flame at 1300 degrees C for 600 s. This demonstrates its excellent high-temperature insulation performance. This work can provide a basis for further design and preparation of oxide ceramic high-temperature thermal protection materials with controllable morphology and properties.