Study of the porous structure of transparent-superinsulating polyurethane aerogels through X-ray nanoholotomography: the key basis for predi

Résumé

Transparent polyurethane aerogels were synthesized for the very first time in our previous publications. These materials present the lowest thermal conductivity ever measured for this aerogel matrix, according to the literature. To understand and further improve this value it is essential to theoretically model their thermal conductivity. Their porous structure, composed by a pearl-necklace structure with 30 nm-particles and presenting a bimodal porosity (pores below 100 nm) is the main responsible for their great insulating capacity, therefore, providing an accurate model relies on characterizing this inner structure. Thus, the use of the ESRF facilities (synchrotron radiation-based phase-contrast hard X-ray nanoholotomography under cryogenic conditions) would be really useful for this investigation. It will allow to determine for the first time the porous structure of transparent PU aerogels, information of critical importance for the state of the art and predicting their properties.