Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a flexible polyurethane foam thermally recyclable by fusion, and to hybrid materials made of flexible polyurethane foam and compact thermoplastic elastomer and/or expanded thermoplastic polyurethane.

Abstract: A process for the hydrophobization of a porous silica based compound involves the steps of providing a composition (I) containing a porous silica based compound, treating the composition (I) with a composition (II) containing hexamethyldisiloxane or its hydrolyzed form, and removing the treated silica based compound. The porous silica based compound obtained by the process is useful. A porous silica based compound obtained or obtainable by the process can be used for medical and pharmaceutical applications, as adsorbents, for cosmetic applications, as an additive for food, as a catalyst support, for the preparation of sensors, or for thermal insulation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermal insulation board (IB) comprising at least two insulating layers (A) bonded together. At least one of the at least two insulating layers (A) comprises at least one aerogel composite material, wherein the aerogel composite material comprises at least one silica aerogel (a1), at least one polymer foam (a2) and at least one flame retardant (a3). The present invention also relates to a thermal insulation system (IS) comprising the thermal insulation board (IB). Further, it relates to a process for the production of the thermal insulation board (IB) and to the use of the thermal insulation board (IB) and of the thermal insulation system (IS) for the thermal insulation of buildings, parts and/or elements of buildings.

Abstract: The current disclosure provides reinforced aerogel compositions that are durable and easy to handle, have favorable performance in aqueous environments, have favorable insulation properties, and have favorable, reaction to fire, combustion and flame-resistance properties. Also provided are methods of preparing or manufacturing such reinforced aerogel compositions. In certain embodiments, the composition has a silica-based aerogel framework, reinforced with an open-cell macroporous framework, and includes one or more fire-class additives, where the silica-based aerogel framework comprises at least one hydrophobic-bound silicon and the composition or each of its components has desired properties.

Abstract: A method can be used for manufacturing one or more bodies made of a porous material derived from precursors of the porous material in a sol-gel process. The method involves filling precursors of the porous material into a mold defining the shape of the body, where the precursors include at least two reactive components and a solvent, and forming a gel body. The step is then repeated so as to form several gel bodies. The gel bodies are then removed from the mold after a predetermined time in which the gel bodies are formed from the precursors of the porous material. The gel bodies are arranged adjacent to one another, a spacer is provided between two adjacent gel bodies so as to provide a clearance therebetween, and the solvent is then removed from the gel bodies.

Abstract: A molding based on a monolithic organic aerogel has a density in the range from 60 to 300 kg/m3 and a thermal conductivity in the range from 12 to 17.8 mW/m*K. The molding based on a monolithic organic aerogel has more than 30 vol.-% of pores with a diameter of less than 150 nm, and more than 20 vol.-% of pores with a diameter of less than 27 nm, based on the total pore volume. A process can be used to prepare the molding by compression.

Abstract: A process for the hydrophobization of a porous silica based compound involves the steps of providing a composition (I) containing a porous silica based compound, treating the composition (I) with a composition (II) containing hexamethyldisiloxane or its hydrolyzed form, and removing the treated silica based compound. The porous silica based compound obtained by the process is useful. A porous silica based compound obtained or obtainable by the process can be used for medical and pharmaceutical applications, as adsorbents, for cosmetic applications, as an additive for food, as a catalyst support, for the preparation of sensors, or for thermal insulation.

Abstract: A process for preparing a porous material involves at least the steps of providing a mixture (I) containing a composition (A), which contains components suitable to from an organic gel, and a solvent (B); reacting the components in the composition (A) in the presence of the solvent (B) to form a gel; and drying of the gel. The composition (A) contains a catalyst system (CS), which contains at least a catalyst component (C1) selected from ammonium salts and phosphonium salts, and an acid with a phosphor containing acid group as a catalyst component (C2). Porous materials can be obtained in this way and the porous materials can be used as thermal insulation material and in vacuum insulation panels and vacuum insulation systems, in particular in interior or exterior thermal insulation systems as well as for insulation of refrigerators and freezers and in water tank or ice maker insulation systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a porous material, at least comprising the steps of providing a mixture (I) comprising a composition (A) comprising components suitable to form an organic gel and a solvent (B), reacting the components in the composition (A) in the presence of the solvent (B) to form a gel, and drying of the gel obtained in step b), wherein the composition (A) comprises at least one compound (af) comprising phosphorous and at least one functional group which is reactive towards isocyanates. The invention further relates to the porous materials which can be obtained in this way and the use of the porous materials as thermal insulation material and in vacuum insulation panels, in particular in interior or exterior thermal insulation systems as well as in water tank or ice maker insulation systems.

Abstract: Processes for drying gel particles, in particular for producing aerogels, involve providing a suspension containing gel particles and a solvent, introducing the suspension into a column where carbon dioxide flows in countercurrent, and removing dried aerogel particles from the column. The suspension is introduced in the top region of the column and dried aerogel particles are removed in the lower region. Pressure and temperature in the column are set such that the mixture of carbon dioxide and solvent is virtually supercritical or is supercritical. The aerogel particles can be discharged via discharge vessels or continuous decompression. Aerogel particles can be obtained by such a process and the aerogel particles can be used for medical and pharmaceutical applications, as additive or carrier material for additives for foods, as catalyst support, for cosmetic, hygiene, washing and cleaning applications, for production of sensors, for thermal insulation, or as a core material for VIPs.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for preparing a porous material, at least comprising the steps of providing a gel comprising a solvent (S), wherein the solvent (S) has a volume (V1), pressurizing the gel with carbon dioxide at a temperature and a pressure at which carbon dioxide solubilizes in the solvent (S) forming gas-expanded liquid (EL), wherein the gas-expanded liquid (EL) has a volume (V2) and (V2) is greater than (V1); removing supernatant liquid, and drying the gel. The present invention further is directed to the porous material obtained or obtainable according to the process as such as the use of the porous material according to the invention in particular for medical, biomedical and pharmaceutical applications or for thermal insulation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a porous material, at least comprising the steps of providing a mixture (I) comprising a water soluble polysaccharide, at least one compound suitable to react as cross-linker for the polysaccharide or to release a cross-linker for the polysaccharide, and water, and preparing a gel (A) comprising exposing mixture (I) to carbon dioxide at a pressure in the range of from 20 to 100 bar for a time sufficient to form a gel (A), and depressurizing the gel (A). Gel (A) subsequently is exposed to a water miscible solvent (L) to obtain a gel (B), which is dried. The invention further relates to the porous materials which can be obtained in this way and the use of the porous materials as thermal insulation material, for cosmetic applications, for biomedical applications or for pharmaceutical applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a porous material, at least comprising the steps of providing a mixture (I) comprising a composition (A) comprising components suitable to form an organic gel and a solvent (B), reacting the components in the composition (A) in the presence of the solvent (B) to form a gel, and drying of the gel obtained in step b), wherein the composition (A) comprises a catalyst system (CS) at least comprising a catalyst component (C1) selected from the group consisting of ammonium salts and a carboxylic acid as catalyst component (C2). The invention further relates to the porous materials which can be obtained in this way and the use of the porous materials as thermal insulation material and in vacuum insulation panels and vacuum insulation systems, in particular in interior or exterior thermal insulation systems as well as for the insulation of refrigerators and freezers and in water tank or ice maker insulation systems.

Abstract: A process for preparing a porous material, including the steps of providing a mixture (I) containing a composition (A) containing components suitable to form an organic gel and a solvent (B), reacting the components in the composition (A) in the presence of the solvent (B) to form a gel, and drying of the gel obtained in step b), wherein the composition (A) contains at least one compound (af) containing phosphorous and at least one functional group which is reactive towards isocyanates and at least one component (au) selected from the group consisting of urea, biuret, and derivatives of urea and biuret.

Abstract: A mold for manufacturing a body made of a porous material derived from precursors of the porous material in a sol-gel process carried out within the mold can have a lower part defining an interior volume for receiving the precursors of the porous material, wherein the interior volume defines the shape of the body to be manufactured, and at least a first opening through which the body is removable from the lower part. Surfaces of the lower part facing the interior volume are at least partially provided with a coating made of a material that is electrically dissipative and non-sticky to a gel formed from the precursors of the porous material and/or the body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a porous material, at least comprising the steps of providing a mixture (I) comprising a composition (A) comprising components suitable to form an organic gel and a solvent (B), reacting the components in the composition (A) in the presence of the solvent (B) to form a gel, and drying of the gel obtained in step b), wherein the composition (A) comprises at least one monool (am). The invention further relates to the porous materials which can be obtained in this way and the use of the porous materials as thermal insulation material and in vacuum insulation panels, in particular in interior or exterior thermal insulation systems.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a body made of a porous material derived from precursors of the porous material in a sol-gel process, including (i) providing a mold, containing a lower part defining an interior volume for receiving the precursors of the porous material, wherein the lower part comprises a first opening, and surfaces of the lower part facing the interior volume are at least partially provided with a coating made of a material being electrically dissipative and non-sticky to the precursors of the porous material and/or the body, (ii) filling precursors of the porous material into the lower part in a first inert or ventilated region, wherein the precursors include two reactive components and a solvent, (iii) removing the body from the lower part through the first opening after a predetermined time, (iv) disposing the body onto a support, and (v) removing the solvent from the body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a porous material, at least providing a mixture (I) comprising a composition (A) comprising components suitable to form an organic gel and a solvent (B), reacting the components in the composition (A) in the presence of the solvent (B) to form a gel, and drying of the gel obtained in step b), wherein the composition (A) comprises a catalyst system (CS) comprising a catalyst component (C1) selected from the group consisting of alkali metal and earth alkali metal, ammonium, ionic liquid salts of a saturated or unsaturated monocarboxylic acid and a carboxylic acid as catalyst component (C2). The invention further relates to the porous materials which can be obtained in this way and the use of the porous materials as thermal insulation material and in vacuum insulation panels, in particular in interior or exterior thermal insulation systems as well as in water tank or ice maker insulation systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cosmetic and/or dermatological composition comprising, in a physiologically acceptable medium aerogel particles comprising an alginate, as well as the cosmetic use of a cosmetic and/or dermatological composition comprising, in a physiologically acceptable medium aerogel particles comprising an alginate, for treating the skin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a flexible polyurethane foam thermally recyclable by fusion, and to hybrid materials made of flexible polyurethane foam and compact thermoplastic elastomer and/or expanded thermoplastic polyurethane.