Aerogels: The Revolutionary Insulation Material
aerogels: The Revolutionary Insulation Material
Aerogels were first formally introduced in 1931. They are three-dimensional, porous, lightweight solid materials composed of nanoparticles that aggregate to form a nanoporous structure, containing gaseous dispersing media within their nanoscale pores. Hailed as the solid material with the best insulation performance to date, aerogels are typically combined with other materials to form composites for practical applications. Known as the solid material with the lowest thermal conductivity and lowest density, they appear as light as mist with a bluish hue and are often called "blue smoke." Aerogels offer ultra-long service life, exceptional thermal insulation, and superior fire resistance, earning them the title of "miracle material that can change the world."
Conventional aerogels exhibit a specific surface area of ~700 m²/g and porosity of 95%–99.8%. Their uniformly distributed nanoporous structure almost entirely blocks heat conduction and convection, granting them far superior insulation performance compared to traditional materials. Their thermal conductivity can be as low as 0.012–0.016 W/(m·K), equivalent to only half that of air.
Due to their exceptional insulation properties, aerogels are widely used in aerospace, military, and defense sectors. Their applications have gradually expanded to petrochemicals, industrial manufacturing, construction, transportation, and consumer goods. Currently, the primary downstream applications include industrial pipeline insulation (e.g., oil and gas projects), industrial thermal insulation, and building construction insulation. As applications broaden, markets in new energy vehicles and outdoor consumer products are also emerging.
Aerogels now encompass a wide range of types. Based on appearance, they are categorized as monoliths, powders, or thin films. By preparation method, they include aerogels, xerogels, and cryogels. By matrix composition, they are classified as inorganic, organic, hybrid, or composite aerogels.
Research indicates that over 70% of building energy consumption results from heat transfer through building envelopes. Reducing heat transfer energy loss in these structures is critical for lowering overall building energy consumption.
Insulation materials can be divided into inorganic and organic categories by chemical composition. Inorganic materials (e.g., rock wool, glass wool, foamed cement, vacuum insulation panels, aerogels) are non-combustible. Organic materials (e.g., eps, XPS, polyurethane) offer better insulation but are flammable, releasing toxic gases when burned and requiring flame retardants.
Aerogel Blankets: A Competitive Inorganic Insulation Solution
As a novel inorganic insulation material, aerogel blankets—though costly—offer excellent thermal performance, simple installation, and long service life. When considering the long-term energy-saving benefits and cost savings, they prove highly competitive.
Currently, oxide aerogels are the most industrially mature and widely applied. Aerogels come in diverse forms: blankets, boards, fabrics, papers, particles, powders, coatings, and custom-shaped parts. This product diversity enables flexible and broad downstream applications.
Thanks to their outstanding insulation properties, the aerogel industry is in a growth stage globally, with rapid expansion across multiple sectors. According to comprehensive forecasts, the global aerogel market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 10%.
The Future in Construction
Aerogels are poised to play an increasingly vital role in the future of the construction industry, offering broader application prospects and driving energy-efficient innovation.
