Ultralight and thermal insulation carbon foam/SiO2 aerogel composites

In this study, carbon foam (CF) and SiO2 aerogel composite were prepared by the sol–gel method under a circumstance of the atmospheric drying process. The Pyrolysis mechanism of carbon foam was investigated through thermal gravimetric analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Carbon foam having ultralight properties with a density of 5.44 kg/m3, functions as a skeleton to support the composite. The maximum compressive stress measured for CF/SiO2 aerogel composite was about 1.0 MPa. At room temperature, the measured thermal conductivities of the CF and CF/SiO2 aerogel composite were 0.035 W/m K and 0.024 W/m K, while at 300 °C, it was reported to be 0.120 W/m K and 0.057 W/m K. Aerogel filled in carbon foam cells have significantly reduced the gaseous thermal conductivity of the prepared composite.