Polymer Aerogel Composites for Thermal Management

Abstract

Polymer aerogels have garnered increasing attention in the aerospace field due to their lightweight, and thermal insulation properties, demonstrating promising application prospects in thermal protection systems for aircraft and other vehicles. This report addresses key scientific challenges in the formation methods, pore regulation, and mechanical enhancement of polymer aerogels. A dynamic sol-gel transition strategy is proposed, enabling the continuous and stable formation of polymer aerogel composites. By introducing nanoparticles for pore regulation and reinforcement, the pore‑forming mechanism and mechanical strengthening principles of nanocomposite aerogels are elucidated. Furthermore, flame‑retardant and thermally insulating polyimide aerogel composites meeting aviation standards are developed, and their potential application in aircraft cabin thermal insulation systems is explored. These advances provide both theoretical foundations and technical support for the development of new functional composite materials in the aerospace field.

Speaker

Prof. Wei Fan, is now a Full Professor and PhD Supervisor in School of Chemical and Material Engineering at Jiangnan University. She received her BEng in Composite Materials and Engineering at East China University of Science and Technology in 2010, and her PhD in Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics at Fudan University in 2015. From 2016 to 2021, she worked as an Assistant Professor and promoted to Associate Professor in the College of Materials Science and Engineering at Donghua University. In 2022, she joined School of Chemical and Material Engineering at Jiangnan University as a Full Professor. Her research focuses on aerogel composites, polymer-based nanocomposites and composites for thermal management. She has published over 90 research papers, which have been cited more than 7400 times (H-index = 51) according to Web of Science. She has been awarded Second Prize of Shanghai Natural Science in 2020. She serves as an Editorial Board Member of Composites Science and Technology, and a Youth Editorial Board Member of Composites Communications and Advanced Nanocomposites.