Synthesis of Resorcinol Formaldehyde Aerogel Using UV Photo-Initiators for Inertial Confinement Fusion Experiments

Abstract

ABSTRACTResorcinol formaldehyde (R/F) aerogels have been used in a variety of laser targets for Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) experiments in the form of thin films, cast shapes such as cylinders and cubes, and hollow and solid microspheres. Besides ICF experiments, R/F aerogel can be used for capacitors, batteries, thermal insulation, absorption/filtration media, and chromatographic packing applications. Traditionally, R/F aerogel is synthesized using a 2-step (base/acid catalysis) polycondensation reaction. We have developed a novel process to synthesize the R/F aerogel using free radical UV initiator at room temperature in 10 minutes using a UV light source. This paper will review this process, which was developed to synthesize R/F aerogels using UV-free radical initiators. Scanning electron microscopy results will also be discussed to show that the aerogel pore structure is similar to traditional R/F aerogels. Fabrication of solid and hollow microspheres for ICF experiments using this R/F aerogel synthesis technique and the technique’s limitations will also be discussed.