Synthesis and characterization of a xonotlite fibers-silica aerogel composite by ambient pressure drying

Xonotlite fibers (XFs) reinforced silica aerogel composites were prepared by a sol-gel method under ambient pressure drying. XFs were synthesized through a dynamic hydrothermal route and had a noodle-like structure with length of 5-10 mu m and average diameter of 150-200 nm. The microstructure analysis showed that XFs were inlaid in silica aerogel matrix by physical combination which contributed to restrict the volume shrinkage of alcogels and maintain the integrality aerogels during drying process. The physical, naonporous and thermal properties of the as prepared aerogel composites were investigated and discussed in detail. The new aerogel composites possessed porous nanostructure, which exhibited typical properties of 0.126 g/cm(3) density, 4.132 cm(3)/g pore volume, and thermal conductivity of 0.0285 W/(m K). The results indicated that the introduced XFs didn't significantly alter the porosity, hydrophobicity or thermal conductivity of aerogel matrix. It was also found that the aerogel composites had much more outstanding porosity than that of pure aerogel upon calcinations at 800 degrees C. This study fabricated XFs-silica aerogel composites and explored a new way for silica aerogels to endure and remain monolithic under ambient pressure drying.