RT info:eu-repo/semantics/article
T1 Studying the size-dependence of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) in the final properties of polyurethane aerogels: thermal insulation and mechanical strength
A1 Lledó Martín, Jaime
A1 Martín de León, Judit
A1 Gómez Álvarez-Arenas, Tomás Enrique
A1 Rodríguez Pérez, Miguel Ángel
A1 Merillas Valero, Beatriz
K1 polyurethane/graphene nanoplatelet aerogel
K1 thermal insulation
K1 opacifiers
K1 scattering
K1 infrared radiation
AB In the present work, the influence of the addition of graphene nanoplatelets presenting different dimensions on polyurethane–polyisocyanurate aerogel structure and properties has been studied. The obtained aerogels synthesized through a sol–gel method have been fully characterized in terms of density, porosity, specific surface area, mechanical stiffness, thermal conductivity, and speed of sound. Opacified aerogels showing high porosity (>92%) and low densities (78–98 kg/m3) have been produced, and the effect of the size and content of graphene nanoplatelets has been studied. It has been observed that formulations with less than 5 wt.% of graphene nanoplatelets larger than 2 microns can effectively reduce the total thermal conductivity by absorption and scattering of the infrared radiation, reducing the heat transfer by this mechanism. The resulting opacified samples are highly insulating materials, with thermal conductivities less than 18 mW/m·K. Moreover, it has been observed that smaller particles with ca. 200 nm of average length can promote an increase in the elastic modulus, therefore obtaining stiffer aerogels, combined with thermal conductivities lower than 20 mW/m·K. Results have been studied in detail, providing a further understanding of the mechanisms for improving the final properties of these materials, making them more suitable for industrial applications.
PB MDPI
SN 2310-2861
YR 2025
FD 2025
LK https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/73915
UL https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/73915
LA eng
NO Gels, 2025, vol. 11, n. 1, 44
NO Producción Científica
DS UVaDOC
RD 22-ene-2025