Highly transparent silanized cellulose aerogels for boosting energy efficiency of glazing in buildings

Eldho Abraham, Vladyslav Cherpak, Bohdan Senyuk, Jan Bart Hove, Taewoo Lee, Qingkun Liu and Ivan I. Smalyukh ()
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Eldho Abraham: University of Colorado
Vladyslav Cherpak: University of Colorado
Bohdan Senyuk: University of Colorado
Jan Bart Hove: University of Colorado
Taewoo Lee: University of Colorado
Qingkun Liu: University of Colorado
Ivan I. Smalyukh: University of Colorado

Nature Energy, 2023, vol. 8, issue 4, 381-396

Abstract: Abstract To maintain comfortable indoor conditions, buildings consume ~40% of the energy generated globally. In terms of passively isolating building interiors from cold or hot outdoors, windows and skylights are the least-efficient parts of the building envelope because achieving simultaneously high transparency and thermal insulation of glazing remains a challenge. Here we describe highly transparent aerogels fabricated from cellulose, an Earth-abundant biopolymer, by utilizing approaches such as colloidal self assembly and procedures compatible with roll-to-roll processing. The aerogels have visible-range light transmission of 97–99% (better than glass), haze of ~1% and thermal conductivity lower than that of still air. These lightweight materials can be used as panes inside multi-pane insulating glass units and to retrofit existing windows. We demonstrate how aerogels boost energy efficiency and may enable advanced technical solutions for insulating glass units, skylights, daylighting and facade glazing, potentially increasing the role of glazing in building envelopes.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41560-023-01226-7

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