In most developed countries, buildings account for around 40% of total energy consumption. There is significant potential for improving energy efficiency through the use of high-performance insulation and energy-efficient systems, and it is estimated that up to 80% of a building's energy consumption can be saved in some cases. Aerogels are essentially "puffed-up sand" and are often referred to as "frozen smoke". Their thermal conductivity, refractive index and dielectric constant are the lowest of any solid, and they also have good transparency. Furthermore, the acoustic properties of aerogels make them effective insulators against noise. These unusual properties of aerogels open the way to a new range of opportunities for energy saving and other applications in buildings.
Major Applications of Aerogels in Buildings
Major applications of aerogels in buildings include thermal insulation, fire retardation, and sound insulation.
Aerogels have the lowest thermal conductivity, and their manufacturing costs can be reduced drastically when they are produced under normal pressure. Therefore, they are the first choice for thermal insulation materials used in buildings. At present, aerogel glass and aerogel insulation blankets are becoming more available in the insulation market. For aerogel glass, the common type is sandwich construction, that is, aerogels between two sheets of glass. Aerogel insulation blankets are composites of silica aerogels and fibers, which turn fragile aerogel into a durable and flexible hydrophobic materials for the interior and exterior envelope of buildings.
Aerogels can be used in fire retardation. For example, silica aerogels with a non-organic structure are non-combustible and can withstand heat up to 1400 ℃, which is in contrast to combustible organic foam insulation that emits deadly fumes and smoke when burning. Therefore, aerogels are very effective in halting the spread of fire in kitchens and elsewhere.
Sound absorption increases as the surface area facing the sound increases. The high porosity and specific surface area of aerogels allow sound waves to be strongly attenuated or absorbed. For example, sound velocity through silica aerogels can be as low as 100 m/s, compared with 332 m/s in air at 8 ℃[1]. Aerogels are therefore useful for reducing noise in environments such as offices or sound rooms.
What Can We Do?
Aerogels are attractive materials for buildings. As a leading aerogel supplier, Alfa Chemistry focuses on developing or improving aerogels to meet the different needs of customers. If you have some innovative ideas, please contact us and we will be happy to help you.
Reference
- Riffat, S.B.; Qiu, G. A review of state-of-the-art aerogel applications in buildings. International Journal of Low-Carbon Technologies. 2013, 8: 1-6.
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