Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong University and Zhejiang University have developed ultrahigh-temperature superelastic aerogels, with their findings titled "Dome-celled aerogels with ultrahigh-temperature superelasticity over 2273 K" published in the international journal Science.

Traditional aerogels, prepared via the sol-gel method, have weak connections between zero-dimensional particles. This leads to poor structural stability, manifested as brittleness and low elastic recovery. They also struggle with thermal instability (e.g., crystal structure issues at high temperatures) and irreversible deformation under large strains, while flexible amorphous regions in ceramic aerogels—key for elasticity—limit high-temperature stability (thermal softening below 2273 K).

Led by Prof. Liu Yilun (School of Aerospace Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University) and Prof. Gao Chao (Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University), the team proposed a 2D channel-confined foaming strategy. Using graphene oxide films as precursors, they achieved atomic-level uniform dispersion of metal ions in graphene-formed 2D channels. Controlled heat treatment then created layered polycrystalline oxide structures with nanocrystals, suppressing coarse grain agglomeration and boosting the aerogels' thermal stability and elasticity.

The dome-celled aerogels prepared maintain 99% elastic strain across a wide temperature range (4.2 K to 2273 K) and after 100 repeated thermal shocks. Multiscale mechanical modeling revealed that the dome’s non-developable curved surface forms a dense, uniform wrinkle network under compression. This reduces rebound adhesion resistance, enhances elastic strain energy storage (an order of magnitude higher than honeycomb/arch structures), and avoids local strain concentration—ensuring stability in extreme thermomechanical environments.

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adw5777