首页|End-of-life performance of hydrophilic and hydrophobic silica aerogel for window applications: Experimental characterization, lighting performance and electricity consumption simulations

End-of-life performance of hydrophilic and hydrophobic silica aerogel for window applications: Experimental characterization, lighting performance and electricity consumption simulations

扫码查看
原文链接
  • NETL
  • NSTL
  • Elsevier
This paper provides an overview of the 20-yr natural service life of hydrophilic and hydrophobic silica aerogels employed in transparent glazing systems. Hydrophilic aerogels, despite their higher transparency, tend to absorb moisture over time, which can degrade their performance, whereas hydrophobic aerogels are water-repellent but exhibit lower optical performance. To investigate the long-term performance of the aerogel samples, a specific artificial aging methodology combining temperature and solar radiation effects was employed. The samples tested for hydrophobicity, porosity, optical, acoustic, and color rendering properties were re-evaluated by means of experimental characterizations after two aging steps: at 12 years (achieved in approximately 120 days) and at 20 years (reached after additional 112 days). Aging has a slight negative effect on the optical properties of the aerogel material, particularly for the more hydrophobic samples (visible transmittance τ_v=0.37 before aging and τ_v=0.30 after 20 years). These samples also exhibit the highest color shift, although the behavior is stable over time; over the 20 year period, the color rendering index decreases by only 2 points compared to 18 and 11 for the less hydrophobic and hydrophilic samples, respectively. Gray tones are not affected by aging, whereas blue-azure colors with high B coordinates experience the most significant deterioration. Acoustic performance is also slightly negatively impacted by aging; however, sound insulation remains very good, with high transmission loss values (up to 30 dB for hydrophilic aerogel and up to 25 dB for hydrophobic aerogel). No significant changes were detected in surface area, pore distribution, and infrared spectra, suggesting stability; however, the aerogels that initially exhibited hydrophobic properties lost their hydrophobicity, due to a structural modification. The experimental data were subsequently implemented in dynamic simulations to evaluate the annual electricity consumption for different types of aerogel glazing systems. The simulations have demonstrated satisfactory illumination conditions in a case study office, regardless of the level of hydrophobicity. The aging process has a negligible effect on the electricity consumption for artificial lighting, with a 6-8 % increase after 20 years, and aerogel glazings effectively prevent glare for the occupants.

Monolithic aerogelAccelerated agingPhysical propertiesColor renderingLighting simulationElectricity consumption

Francesca Merli、Elisa Belloni、Costanza Vittoria Fiorini、Ann M. Anderson、Mary K. Carroll、Cinzia Buratti

展开 >

Department of Engineering, University of Perugia, Via G. Duranti 63, Perugia 06125, Italy

DIAEE Department of Astronautical, Electrical and Energy Engineering University of Rome 'Sapienza', Via Eudossiana 18, Rome 00184, Italy

Mechanical Engineering Department, Union College, 807 Union Street, Schenectady, NY 12308, USA

Chemistry Department, Union College, 807 Union Street, Schenectady, NY 12308, USA

展开 >

2025

10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.141378

Construction & Building Materials

Construction & Building Materials

ISSN：0950-0618
年,卷(期)：2025.479(Jun.13)
  • 33