title: Polyimide aerogels cross-linked through amine functionalized polyoligomeric silsesquioxane.
abstract: We report the first synthesis of polyimide aerogels cross-linked through a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane, octa(aminophenyl)silsesquioxane (OAPS). Gels formed from polyamic acid solutions of 3,3',4,4'-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA), bisaniline-p-xylidene (BAX) and OAPS were chemically imidized and dried using supercritical CO(2) extraction to give aerogels having density around 0.1 g/cm(3). The aerogels are greater than 90 % porous, have high surface areas (230 to 280 m(2)/g) and low thermal conductivity (14 mW/m-K at room temperature). Notably, the polyimide aerogels cross-linked with OAPS have higher modulus than polymer reinforced silica aerogels of similar density and can be fabricated as both monoliths and thin films. Thin films of the aerogel are flexible and foldable making them an ideal insulation for space suits, and inflatable structures for habitats or decelerators for planetary re-entry, as well as more down to earth applications.
authors.affiliation: Ohio Aerospace Institute, 22800 Cedar Point Road, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. haiquan.n.guo@nasa.gov
authors.forename: Haiquan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Mary Ann B
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Meador
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McCorkle
authors.forename: Derek J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Quade
authors.forename: Jiao
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Bart
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.forename: Miko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cakmak
authors.forename: Guilherme
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sprowl