Ultralight and hyperelastic SiC nanofiber aerogel spring for personal thermal energy regulation

Abstract

Multifunctionalization is the development direction of personal thermal energy regulation equipment in the future. However, it is still a huge challenge to effectively integrate multiple functionalities into one material. In this study, a simple thermochemical process was used to prepare a multifunctional SiC nanofiber aerogel spring (SiC NFAS), which exhibited ultralow density (9 mg/cm3), ultralow thermal conductivity (0.029 W/(m·K) at 20 °C), excellent ablation and oxidation resistance, and a stable three-dimensional (3D) structure that composed of a large number of interlacing 3C-SiC nanofibers with diameters of 300–500 nm and lengths in tens to hundreds of microns. Furthermore, the as-prepared SiC NFAS displayed excellent mechanical properties, with a permanent deformation of only 1.3% at 20 °C after 1000 cycles. Remarkably, the SiC NFAS exhibited robust hyperelasticity and cyclic fatigue resistance at both low (∼−196 °C) and high (∼700 °C) temperatures. Due to its exceptional thermal insulation performance, the SiC NFAS can be used for personal thermal energy regulation. The results of the study conclusively show that the SiC NFAS is a multifunctional material and has potential insulation applications in both low- and high-temperature environments. [Figure not available: see fulltext.].