In order to improve the mechanical properties of SiO2 aerogels, PHMS/VTES-SiO2 composite aerogels (P/V-SiO2) were prepared. Using vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES) as a coupling agent, the PHMS/VTES complex was prepared by conducting an addition reaction with polyhydromethylsiloxane (PHMS) and VTES and then reacting it with inorganic silica sol to prepare the organic-inorganic composite aerogels. The PHMS/VTES complex forms a coating structure on the aerogel particles, enhancing the network structure of the composite aerogels. The composite aerogels can maintain the high specific surface area and excellent thermal insulation properties, and they have better mechanical properties. We studied the reaction mechanism during preparation and discussed the effects of the organic components on the structure and properties of the composite aerogels. The composite aerogels we prepared have a thermal conductivity of 0.03773 W·m-1·K-1 at room temperature and a compressive strength of 1.87 MPa. The compressive strength is several times greater than that of inorganic SiO2 aerogels. The organic-inorganic composite aerogels have excellent comprehensive properties, which helps to expand the application fields of silicon-based aerogels.
Keywords: coating; mechanical properties; organic–inorganic composite; polysiloxane; silicon-based aerogel; thermal insulation properties.