Catalyst-free preparation of low density melamine-formaldehyde aerogel

Low density melamine-formaldehyde(MF) aerogels were prepared by sol-gel method and CO2 supercritical drying process. Melamine and formaldehyde were used as precursors and Di methyl sulfoxide (DMOS) was used as solvent. The obtained MF aerogel had a low density of 70 kg/m3. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption and desorption analysis and thermo gravimetric analyses were employed to character the structure and thermal stability of MF aerogels. The results indicated that the MF aerogels using DMOS as solvent had poorer microstructure than those using water as solvent, but presented better thermal stability.