Silica aerogels; a review of synthesis, applications and fabrication of hybrid composites

Silica aerogels are gaining significant importance and have attracted considerable interest due to their extraordinary properties numerous applications. highly porous with high surface area very low density thermal conductivity. Usually they prepared synthesized via sol-gel technique, which involves making a sol containing precursor, solvent catalyst. The possessed by the final product depend upon factors such as ratio of precursor drying method employed. Due flexibility synthesis methods production tailored properties, silica found commercial applications being investigated suitability in several areas, biomedical aerospace engineering. Despite having exceptional come drawbacks brittleness mechanical strength, can be resolved fabricating composites extending potential This paper reviews where this material has shown promising results. different materials used for fabrication improve enhance physical chemical also presented.