Bio-Inspired Aramid Fibers@silica Binary Synergistic Aerogels with High Thermal Insulation and Fire-Retardant Performance

Flame-retardant, thermal insulation, mechanically robust, and comprehensive protection against extreme environmental threats aerogels are highly desirable for protective equipment. Herein, inspired by the core (organic)-shell (inorganic) structure of lobster antenna, fire-retardant and mechanically robust aramid fibers@silica nanocomposite aerogels with core-shell structures are fabricated via the sol-gel-film transformation and chemical vapor deposition process. The thickness of silica coating can be well-defined and controlled by the CVD time. Aramid fibers@silica nanocomposite aerogels show high heat resistance (530 degrees C), low thermal conductivity of 0.030 W center dot m(-1)center dot K-1, high tensile strength of 7.5 MPa and good flexibility. More importantly, aramid fibers@silica aerogels have high flame retardancy with limiting oxygen index 36.5. In addition, this material fabricated by the simple preparation process is believed to have potential application value in the field of aerospace or high-temperature thermal protection.

Automated summary

Inspired by the core-shell structure of lobster antennae, fire-retardant and mechanically robust aramid fibers@silica nanocomposite aerogels with well-defined silica coating were fabricated. These aerogels showed high heat resistance, low thermal conductivity, high tensile strength, and good flexibility. Moreover, they exhibited high flame retardancy and have potential applications in aerospace or high-temperature thermal protection.