Synthesized robust and thermal stable zirconia aerogel by using N, N-dimethylformamide as a drying inhibitor

Abstract N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF) is used as a drying inhibitor to prepare ZrO 2 aerogels. The properties were investigated and the result reflected that adding DMF can get bulk aerogels with better mechanical strength (0.51 MPa), lower density (0.38 g/cm 3 ), lower thermal conductivity (0.024 W·m -1 ·K -1 ), and higher specific surface area (123.46 m 2 /g) after heat treatment. Its performance as a drying inhibitor is better than that of formamide (FA). It indicates that DMF can be used as a drying inhibitor to prepare zirconia aerogel with excellent thermal stability and mechanical strength.