Benzene adsorption properties of silica aerogel-fiber composites

Silica aerogel-fiber composites were prepared via a heat pressing process. Nonwoven fibers were distributed inside the silica aerogels as a composite to act as a supporting skeleton which increased the mechanical strength. The morphology, pore structure, benzene adsorption capacities of the silica aerogels and the composites were characterized. The results show that the silica aerogel-fiber composites have more excellent benzene adsorption capacities compared with the traditional absorbent materials. The saturated benzene-adsorption percentage of the composites has a direct relation with the silica aerogels weight per unit area and the saturated benzene-adsorption percentage of silica aerogels. The experimental results are in good agreement with those calculated by a special formula. The composite process has no influence on the porous structure of the silica aerogels.