About this Abstract |
Meeting |
MS&T22: Materials Science & Technology
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Symposium
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Synthesis, Characterization, Modeling and Applications of Functional Porous Materials
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Presentation Title |
Optimizing Surfactant Templating of Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia Aerogels for High-temperature Applications: Effect of Anionic, Nonionic Surfactants |
Author(s) |
Rebecca C. Walker, Jamesa L. Stokes, Frances I. Hurwitz, Haiquan Guo, James K. Ferri |
On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Rebecca C. Walker |
Abstract Scope |
Aerogels are useful thermal insulators due to low density, low thermal conductivity, and a tortuous path for solid conduction. However, the formulation must be optimized to increase thermal stability as drastic densification and surface area decrease is often exhibited after high-temperature exposure. Current research investigates yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) aerogels for expected use between 600°C and 1000°C. We anticipate that new sol-gel chemistries will yield YSZ aerogels with retained mesoporous structure, increased surface area, and minimized shrinkage upon high-temperature exposure. This work investigates the anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and the nonionic surfactant, PluronicŪ P-123, as templating agents to prevent the collapse of the aerogel pore structure upon gelation and drying. To determine the effect of surfactant, characterization techniques such as nitrogen physisorption, x-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy are used. By optimizing surfactant concentration, the thermal stability of YSZ aerogels can be enhanced, producing more efficient thermal insulators. |