Synthesis of Resorcinol - Formaldehyde Aerogel and Effect of PH-Value and Density on the Compressive Strength

Aerogels comprise a special class of low-density open-cell foams with large internal void space (up to 98%, v/v), which is responsible for useful material properties such as highsurface area, low thermal conductivity (2–3 orders of magnitude less than silica glass), and high acoustic impedance[1]. Resorcinol – formaldehyde (RF) aerogel were synthesized by sol – gel polycondensation of resorcinol with formaldehyde in an aqueous environment using hepta hydrate magnesium sulphate as catalysts. The effects of PH and density have been investigated on the compressive strength.