A novel Yb₂SiO₅ ceramic aerogel with excellent thermal stability for high-temperature thermal insulation

To investigate the potential of rare earth oxide structural ceramics for high-temperature insulation applications, we introduced aerogel structures into Yb₂SiO₅ ceramics. In this study, the pure Yb₂SiO₅ ceramic aerogels were successfully prepared by calcination using formamide as a gelling agent, the sol-gel method, and the CO₂ supercritical drying method. The results indicate that the Yb₂SiO₅ ceramic aerogel exhibits exceptional structural and phase stability at a temperature of 1400 °C. In addition, we have developed Yb₂SiO₅ ceramic aerogel composites reinforced with aluminosilicate fiber cotton, which exhibit low density (228.77 kg m⁻³) and low thermal conductivity (0.038 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ at 25 °C, 0.102 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ at 1000 °C). The back temperature of the 10 mm thick composites is only 285 °C after exposure to a butane blowtorch flame at 1300 °C for 600 s. This demonstrates its excellent high-temperature insulation performance. This work can provide a basis for further design and preparation of oxide ceramic high-temperature thermal protection materials with controllable morphology and properties.