University of Connecticut

World Properties, Inc.

Aerogel Composite, LLC

Can Erkey

Robert A Weiss

Michael D Bessette

Hiroaki Hara

Poh Poh Gan

Yueping Fu

Suresh Shenoy

Daniel Cohen

Xing Dong

Metallic aerogel compositions comprising an aerogel, e.g., RF or carbon aerogel, having metallic particles dispersed on its surface are disclosed. The aerogel compositions can have a uniform distribution of small metallic particles, e.g., 1 nanometer average particle diameter. Also disclosed are processes for making the aerogel compositions comprising contacting an aerogel with a supercritical fluid containing a metallic compound. The aerogel compositions are useful, for example in the manufacture of fuel cell electrodes.

Aerogel and metallic compositions

A process for making an aerogel-electrolyte-metal composite includes contacting an aerogel with an electrolyte to form an aerogel-electrolyte composite; contacting the aerogel-electrolyte composite with a metal precursor to form an aerogel-electrolyte-precursor composite; and converting the metal precursor of the aerogel-electrolyte-precursor composite to metal crystals to form the aerogel-electrolyte-metal composite. In addition, an aerogel-electrolyte-metal composite is formed by the process, wherein the average longest dimension of the metal crystals is about 1 to about 3 nanometers, and wherein the metal crystals are about 30% to about 100% dispersed.

Processes for making aerogel-electrolyte-metal composites

A conductive polymer composite, comprising a polymer and polypyrrole and derivatives thereof. The composite is manufactured by first diffusing an oxidant such as iodine into the polymer, and then diffusing pyrrole or a pyrrole derivative vapor into the impregnated polymer, resulting in an in situ chemical oxidative polymerization of pyrrole at the oxidant site. The conductivity of the composite foam can be effectively controlled between 10to 10S/cm, inclusive.

Conductive elastomeric foams and method of manufacture thereof

A microemulsion containing water, a densified fluid, a surfactant, and an organometallic catalyst is used to catalyze chemical reactions. The organometallic catalyst preferably has substantial solubility in the water phase of the microemulsion. Separation of reaction products from the microemulsion is facilitated by removal of the densified fluid.

Catalysis by water-soluble organometallic complexes in water-in-densified fluid microemulsions

A conductive elastomeric foam composite is presented, comprising an elastomer foam and polypyrrole, thiophene, or aniline and derivatives thereof. The foam is manufactured by first diffusing an oxidant into the dense polymer phase of a solvent-swollen foam and then diffusing pyrrole or pyrrole derivative vapor or solution into the dried foam, resulting in an in situ chemical oxidative polymerization of pyrrole at the oxidant site. Only about 5 wt % of conductive polymer is required for observing an insulator to conductor transition. The conductivity of the composite foam can be effectively controlled between 10,and 10,S/cm by varying either the amount of oxidant used and/or the copolymer composition.

Conductive elastomeric foams by in-situ vapor phase polymerization of pyrroles

A conductive elastomeric foam composite is presented, comprising an elastomer foam and polypyrrole, thiophene, or aniline and derivatives thereof. The foam is manufactured by first diffusing an oxidant into the dense polymer phase of a solvent-swollen foam and then diffusing pyrrole or pyrrole derivative vapor or solution into the dried foam, resulting in an in situ chemical oxidative polymerization of pyrrole at the oxidant site. Only about 5 wt % of conductive polymer is required for observing an insulator to conductor transition. The conductivity of the composite foam can be effectively controlled between 10.sup.-7 and 10.sup.-1 S/cm by varying either the amount of oxidant used and/or the copolymer composition.

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South Windsor, CT, United States of America

Can Erkey