Synthesis of spherical silica aerogel powder by emulsion polymerization technique

Spherical silica aerogel powders were fabricated via an emulsion polymerization method from a water glass. A water-in-oil emulsion, in which droplets of a silicic acid solution are emulsified with span 80 (surfactant) in n-hexane, was produced by a high power homogenizer. After gelation, the surface of the spherical silica hydrogels was modified using a TMCS (trimethylchlorosilane)/n-hexane solution followed by solvent exchange from water to n-hexane. Hydrophobic silica wet gel droplets were dried at 80 ℃ under ambient pressure. A perfect spherical silica aerogel powder between1 to 12 ㎛ in diameter was obtained and its size can be controlled by mixing speed. The tapping density, pore volume, and BET surface area of the silica aerogel powder were approximately 0.08 g·cm-3, 3.5 ㎤·g-1 and 742 ㎡·g-1, respectively.