Applications of aerogel in cement-based thermal insulation materials: an overview

As a kind of nanomaterial with superior performance in thermal insulation, sound isolation and fire prevention, aerogels are considered to be an ideal alternative to traditional thermal insulation materials. With more stringent building energy efficiency standards and the development of commercialised aerogels, wide applications of aerogel in cement-based insulation materials are becoming promising. The state-of-the-art in aerogel-based cementitious insulation materials is discussed in this paper. The impact of aerogels on the physical and mechanical properties of cement-based insulation materials is described and methods of aerogel scattering and mixing in a cement matrix are summarised. The stability, interfacial transition zone, alkali-silica reaction and property optimisation of aerogel in cement-based insulation materials are also discussed. Finally, some unsolved issues highlighted from previous studies are put forward with the aim of further promoting industrial applications of aerogels in cement-based insulation materials.