The Chemistry and Physics of Aerogels

Lorenz Ratke is a Senior Scientist at the German Aerospace Center, DLR, Institute of Materials Research where he served as department head until 2016. He is as a Member of the German Physical Society (DPG) and the German Society of Materials (DGM). Pavel Gurikov is a Professor at Hamburg University of Technology, Laboratory for Development and Modelling of Novel Nanoporous Materials. He is a member of International Adsorption Society and European Society for Engineering Education. In 2019 he received the Professor Siegfried Peter Prize for pioneering research work in high-pressure process engineering.

• 1. Introduction; 2. Chemical Synthesis of Aerogels from Monomeric Precursors; 3. Chemical Synthesis of Aerogels from Polymeric Precursors; 4. Gelation; 5. Drying of Wet Gels; 6. Morphology of Aerogels; 7. Density – Models and Measures; 8. Specific Surface Area; 9. Pores and Pore Sizes; 10. Diffusion in Aerogels; 11. Permeability for Gases; 12. Thermal Properties; 13. Mechanical Properties of Aerogels; 14. How to Cook Aerogels: Recipes and Procedures.

'an essential toolkit for aerogel chemistry encompassing both physics principles and engineering practices, suitable for advanced undergraduates and graduate students. The 14 well-conceived, masterfully executed chapters cover chemical synthesis, density, gels and gelation, morphology, and thermal and mechanical properties. Five useful appendixes offer more-rigorous mathematical treatments of selected topics in polymer physics and thermodynamics. For more than just the fun of it, the authors thoughtfully include preparative recipes for cooking up something of an aerogel storm. Nice! And the book is nicely priced. Highly recommended.' L. W. Fine, Choice Connect