Cast-in-place, ambiently-dried, silica-based, high-temperature insulation

Eric Jianfeng Cheng, Jeff Sakamoto, James Salvador, Hsin Wang, Ryan Maloney, Travis Thompson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

A novel sol-gel chemistry approach was developed to enable the simple integration of a cast-in-place, ambiently-dried insulation into high temperature applications. The insulation was silica-based and synthesized using methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) as the precursor. MTMS created a unique silica microstructure that was mechanically robust, macroporous, and superhydrophobic. To allow for casting into and around small, orthogonal features, zirconia fibers were added to increase stiffness and minimize contraction that could otherwise cause cracking during drying. Nano-sized titania powder was incorporated as an opacifier to reduce radiative heat transport. To assess relevance to high temperature thermoelectric generator technology, a comprehensive set of materials characterization experiments were conducted. The silica gel was thermally stable, retained superhydrophobicity with a water contact angle >150°, and showed a high electrical resistance >1 GΩ, regardless of heating temperature (up to 600 °C in Ar for 4 h). In addition, The silica-based thermal insulation exhibited a Young's modulus ∼3.7 MPa and a low thermal conductivity <0.08 W/(m.K) at room temperature before and after heat treatment (up to 600 °C in Ar for 4 h). Thus, based on the simplicity of the manufacturing process and the optimized material properties, we believe this technology can act as an effective cast-in-place thermal insulation (CTI) for thermoelectric generators and myriad other applications requiring improved thermal efficiency.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)450-462
Number of pages13
JournalActa Materialia
Volume127
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1 2017

Keywords

  • Ambiently-dried
  • Cast-in-place
  • High-temperature insulation
  • Silica gel
  • Thermoelectric generator

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Cast-in-place, ambiently-dried, silica-based, high-temperature insulation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this