Activation–retardation in sol–gel reactions for additive manufacturing of transparent poly(methylsilsesquioxane) aerogels

• Published in: Nature communications Vol. 16; no. 1; pp. 8212 - 10
• Main Authors: Gao, Mengyue, Zhang, Junyan, Xu, Chengjian, Yu, Xiaoxiao, Chen, Linfeng, Zheng, Junjie, Zuo, Weiwei, Zhang, Xinhai, Cheng, Yanhua, Zhu, Meifang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 02.09.2025; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 3-D printers; 639/301/357/354; 639/301/930/1032; Acids; Additive manufacturing; Aerogels; Aging; Ammonia; Heat conductivity; Humanities and Social Sciences; Inks; Insulation; Modulators; multidisciplinary; Particle size; Polycondensation reactions; Polymers; Rheological properties; Rheology; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Sol-gel processes; Surfactants; Thermal conductivity; Thermal insulation; Viscosity
• ISSN: 2041-1723; 2041-1723
• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63356-8

Coupling superior thermal insulation performance with high transparency for solar transmission and excellent processability in aerogels is a challenging yet promising subject. Here, we report a direct ink writing strategy to create transparent polymethylsilsesquioxane (PMSQ) aerogels from gel inks with desired rheology, by merely using acid-base dual modulators to achieve “activation–retardation” of polycondensation reaction. The printed aerogels are pure PMSQ, have a transmittance of 97% in the visible-near infrared range, thermal conductivity (16.2 mW m −1 K −1 ) lower than that of still air, and low density (0.08 g cm −3 ). We demonstrate new possibilities of our 3D-printed transparent aerogels, such as device encapsulation for heat insulation and cylindrical cooling shields for lighting. Authors report a direct ink writing strategy to create transparent polymethylsilsesquioxane aerogels from gel inks with desired rheology, using acid-base dual modulators to achieve “activation–retardation” of polycondensation reaction.