"Tuning Aerogel Thermal Conductivity Using Nanosheet Additives" 

Joe Anderson, MSE PhD Candidate 

Advisor(s): Jeffrey Youngblood, Amy Marconnet

ABSTRACT

Aerogels provide an effective method of thermal insulation due to their exceptionally high porosity and yet extremely small pore sizes, but as technology advances there is an ever-present demand for improved and fine-tuned performance. A common method of modulating their insulation properties has been incorporating different additives into the aerogel matrix. Of the many additive choices, 2D nanoparticles have shown promise as a means of guiding heat flow or decreasing thermal conductivity at will. In this context, the most common of these nanoparticles are boron nitride nanosheets, MXenes, and graphene or graphene oxide. Each of these has been demonstrated within aerogel composites, though the thermal properties have been investigated to varying degrees for each type. In this review, the theory behind how the additives affect aerogel thermal conductivity will be examined. Following this, the available experimental literature of these common additives used will be analyzed for the overall results and the validity of the explanations given. Finally, the gaps in the research will be discussed, namely the lack of a fundamental understanding of why these additives can decrease the thermal conductivity of aerogels, and experiments are suggested to help close this gap.