POLY 123 |
| Aerogels are the lightest and lowest density solids known, typically comprised of approximately 98% air and 2% solid material. Na-Montmorillonite clay aerogels are highly cost effective materials when compared to their silica counterparts and have many possibilities for use. However, an aerogel made from clay alone has very poor compressive properties and as such a variety of natural fibers were chosen as reinforcement for these materials. Thus far, no other research has been reported in this area and the first fibers chosen for initial research were Soy Silk, a man-made fiber made from the waste of the Tofu manufacturing process, Silk, an animal-based fiber, and Hemp, a plant-based fiber. Poly(vinyl alcohol) was also mixed with the clay to form a stronger matrix to increase the effect of fiber reinforcement. Studies were undertaken to examine the effects of fiber volume and fiber length within the aerogel matrix. It was shown that an increase in the fiber volume produced an increase in the compressive properties of the composite up to a fiber volume percentage of 5w/v%. In addition, results from the fiber length study will be discussed. These materials provide for use as a biodegradable packing material to replace expanded polystyrene packing “peanuts” that will also withstand exposure to moisture unlike the starch-based products. |
|
Undergraduate Research in Polymer Science
6:00 PM-8:00 PM, Sunday, April 6, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Hall A, Poster
Division of Polymer Chemistry |