Polyvinyldenfluoride aerogels – first investigations

Abstract

Aerogels are nanostructured open-pored solids with an extraordinary combination of properties such as enormously high porosity, low density, low thermal conductivity and good sound absorption. They can be produced from almost any starting material. Metal oxide aerogels, aerogels based on resin systems or polysaccharides are already well studied. More unknown are polymer-based aerogels, because while conventional aerogels are synthesized via the solgel process, starting from monomeric precursors, and subsequent drying of the wet gel, the synthesis of polymer-based aerogels has to be newly developed. In this contribution, we will report the preparation of polyvinyldenfluoride (PVDF)-based aerogels. Steam-induced phase separation seems to be promising for their preparation. In our research work, different precursors and synthesis conditions are investigated and the obtained PVDF materials are characterized. The results of this work, suitable synthesis conditions, studies on the morphology and resulting properties of PVDF aerogels are discussed.