The Chemistry and Physics of Aerogels

Discover a rigorous treatment of aerogels processing and techniques for aerogel characterization.

Lorenz Ratke (Author), Pavel Gurikov (Author)

9781108478595, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 9 September 2021

484 pages
25 x 17.5 x 2.7 cm, 1.07 kg

'an essential toolkit for aerogel chemistry encompassing both physics principles and engineering practices, suitable for advanced undergraduates and graduate students. The 14 well-conceived, masterfully executed chapters cover chemical synthesis, density, gels and gelation, morphology, and thermal and mechanical properties. Five useful appendixes offer more-rigorous mathematical treatments of selected topics in polymer physics and thermodynamics. For more than just the fun of it, the authors thoughtfully include preparative recipes for cooking up something of an aerogel storm. Nice! And the book is nicely priced. Highly recommended.' L. W. Fine, Choice Connect

Discover a rigorous treatment of aerogels processing and techniques for characterization with this easy-to-use reference. Presents the basics of aerogel synthesis and gelation to open porous nanostructures, and the processing of wet gels like ambient and supercritical drying leading to aerogels. Describes their essential properties with their measurement techniques and theoretical models used to analyse relations to their nanostructure. Linking the fundamentals and with practical applications, this is a useful toolkit for advanced undergraduates, and graduate students doing research in material and polymer science, physical chemistry, and chemical and environmental engineering.

1. Introduction
2. Chemical Synthesis of Aerogels from Monomeric Precursors
3. Chemical Synthesis of Aerogels from Polymeric Precursors
4. Gelation
5. Drying of Wet Gels
6. Morphology of Aerogels
7. Density – Models and Measures
8. Specific Surface Area
9. Pores and Pore Sizes
10. Diffusion in Aerogels
11. Permeability for Gases
12. Thermal Properties
13. Mechanical Properties of Aerogels
14. How to Cook Aerogels: Recipes and Procedures.

Subject Areas: Materials science [TGM], Chemical engineering [TDCB], Nanotechnology [TBN], Condensed matter physics [liquid state & solid state physics PHFC]