Synthesis and characterization of carbon fiber/silica aerogel nanocomposites

Nanoporous silica aerogel-carbon fiber composites were prepared via a sol-gel process by surface modification at ambient pressure. Oxidizing modification of the carbon microfibers improved the adhesion between hydrophilic silica gel and the carbon material surface. Suggested solution contributed to the blocking of hydroxide bonds of silica gel via reaction with the oxidized carbon material surface, which lowered the contraction of gel volume during its drying in atmospheric pressure and led to the more stable structure. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.