Ultrastrong, Superelastic, and Lamellar Multiarch Structured ZrO2-Al2O3 Nanofibrous Aerogels with High-Temperature Resistance over 1300 °C.

Abstract

Advanced ceramic aerogel materials with a performance combining sufficient mechanical robustness and splendid high-temperature resistance are urgently needed as thermal insulators in harsh environments. However, the practical applications of ceramic aerogel materials are always limited by poor mechanical performance and degradation under thermal shock. Here, we report the facile creation of lamellar multiarch structured ceramic nanofibrous aerogels that are simultaneously ultrastrong, superelastic, and high temperature resistant by combining ZrO2-Al2O3 nanofibers with Al(H2PO4)3 matrices. The resulting ZrO2-Al2O3 nanofibrous aerogels exhibit the integrated properties of rapid recovery from a strain of 90%, high compression strength of more than 1100 kPa (at a strain of 90%), high fatigue resistance, and temperature-invariant superelasticity. Moreover, the all-ceramic component feature also provides the ceramic nanofibrous aerogels with high-temperature resistance up to 1300 °C and thermal insulation performance with low thermal conductivity (0.0322 W m-1 K-1). These superior performances make the ceramic aerogels ideal for high-temperature thermal insulation materials in extreme conditions.