EUROPEAN CONGRESS AND EXHIBITION ON ADVANCED MATERIALS AND PROCESSES - EUROMAT 2021

Metal-based aerogels have attracted numerous studies due to their unique physical, structural, thermal and chemical properties. Utilizing aluminum waste, a facial, environmentally friendly approach to aluminum aerogels is introduced. Aluminum powder, with poly(acrylic acid) and carboxymethyl cellulose as binders, is converted into the aluminum aerogels using the freeze-drying method without any chemical modification. The aluminum aerogels have a low density (0.08 – 0.12 g/cm3) and a high porosity (93.83 – 95.68%). The thermal conductivity of the aerogels is very low (0.038 – 0.045 W/mK) and comparable with other types of aerogels and the commercial heat insulation materials. The aerogels can withstand up to 1000 oC with less than 40% of decomposition. It is suggested that the aluminum aerogels are potential candidates for thermal insulation applications in high temperature environment.