Quantitative Evaluation of the Hierarchical Porosity in Polyimide Aerogels and Corresponding Solvated Gels

• DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c07971
• Publication Date: 2020-06-15T09:33:06Z
• Authors: Samantha J. Rinehart; Baochau N. Nguyen; Rocco P. Viggiano; Mary Ann B. Meador; Mark D. Dadmun
• Keywords: Thermal Stability

Aerogels are promising materials for many aerospace applications, including high-performance antennae and flexible insulation, because of their inherent low density high surface areas. Polymer aerogels, especially polyimide provide excellent mechanical properties beyond traditional silica aerogels while maintaining the required thermal stability. Polyimide aerogel area, porosity, pore volume important properties; however, these measurements traditionally conducted on after removal solvent. Because this, impact synthetic control solvent presence nanoscale to mesoscale structure in functional applications is unclear. In this report, we use small-angle neutron scattering determine dry solvated skeletal strut size composition deduce solvation complex struts. Our results show that contains a hierarchical assembly pores, with pores present both within between supporting This translates material larger as well absorbed skeleton. The amount uptake struts varies properties. insight from provides pathways correlations nano- structural characteristics, fabrication processes, performance such polymeric battery separators. These also broaden characterization tools differentiate structures exist common operating conditions.