Stable Integration of Hydrophobic Silica Aerogels into Rubber Latex <italic style="font-style: italic">via</italic> Poly(vinyl alcohol)-assisted Aqueous Processing for Thermal Insulating Composites

Yan-Chun Han; Fang-Shuo Li; Jian-Chao Zhang; Quan Wang; Guo-Hui Yang; Miao Yu; Feng Wang; Yong-Xin Duan; Lu Zong; Bo-Xiao Li; Jian-Ming Zhang

doi:10.1007/s10118-025-3521-5

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Stable Integration of Hydrophobic Silica Aerogels into Rubber Latex via Poly(vinyl alcohol)-assisted Aqueous Processing for Thermal Insulating Composites

RESEARCH ARTICLE | Updated：2026-02-13

- Stable Integration of Hydrophobic Silica Aerogels into Rubber Latex via Poly(vinyl alcohol)-assisted Aqueous Processing for Thermal Insulating Composites
- Chinese Journal of Polymer Science Vol. 44, Issue 3, Pages: 821-832(2026)
- Affiliations：
  
  Key Laboratory of Rubber-Plastics, Ministry of Education/Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Rubber-Plastics, Qingdao University of Science & Technology, Qingdao 266042, China
- Author bio：
  
  bh218@qust.edu.cn (B.X.L.)
  zjm@qust.edu.cn (J.M.Z.)
- Funds：
- DOI：10.1007/s10118-025-3521-5
  CLC：
- Received：30 October 2025，
  
  Accepted：08 December 2025，
  
  Online First：06 February 2026，
  
  Published：15 March 2026
- Accepted：
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Han, Y. C.; Li, F. S.; Zhang, J. C.; Wang, Q.; Yang, G. H.; Yu, M.; Wang, F.; Duan, Y. X.; Zong, L.; Li, B. X.; Zhang, J. M. Stable integration of hydrophobic silica aerogels into rubber latex via poly(vinyl alcohol)-assisted aqueous processing for thermal insulating composites. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. 2026, 44, 821–832

Yan-Chun Han, Fang-Shuo Li, Jian-Chao Zhang, et al. Stable Integration of Hydrophobic Silica Aerogels into Rubber Latex via Poly(vinyl alcohol)-assisted Aqueous Processing for Thermal Insulating Composites[J]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2026, 44(3): 821-832. DOI: 10.1007/s10118-025-3521-5.
Han, Y. C.; Li, F. S.; Zhang, J. C.; Wang, Q.; Yang, G. H.; Yu, M.; Wang, F.; Duan, Y. X.; Zong, L.; Li, B. X.; Zhang, J. M. Stable integration of hydrophobic silica aerogels into rubber latex via poly(vinyl alcohol)-assisted aqueous processing for thermal insulating composites. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. 2026, 44, 821–832 DOI： 10.1007/s10118-025-3521-5.

Yan-Chun Han, Fang-Shuo Li, Jian-Chao Zhang, et al. Stable Integration of Hydrophobic Silica Aerogels into Rubber Latex via Poly(vinyl alcohol)-assisted Aqueous Processing for Thermal Insulating Composites[J]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2026, 44(3): 821-832. DOI: 10.1007/s10118-025-3521-5. DOI：

摘要

This study reveals the decisive role of surface chemistry in aqueous stability. Using poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) as an amphiphilic bridge

methyl-modified aerogels were stably integrated into rubber latex

yielding composites with exceptional thermal and chemical resistance.

Abstract

Silica aerogels (SAs) impart low density and excellent thermal insulation to polymer systems

yet incorporating hydrophobic SAs into aqueous rubber latex systems remains challenging owing to their poor dispersibility and potential to destabilize the latex. Although previous studies have dispersed SAs in aqueous poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)

the stability of such dispersions and their effectiveness as bridging media for latex integration have not been thoroughly evaluated

which limits their practical application in latex compounding. This study systematically examined how the surface chemistry governs hydrolytic stability

interfacial behavior

and latex compatibility in PVA-assisted aqueous processing. Two hydrophobic SAs were prepared: ethoxy-modified SA (E-SA) and methyl-modified SA (M-SA). Both initially formed a homogeneous PVA slurry

but E-SA rapidly hydrolyzed its surface ―OCH

groups

releasing ethanol

becoming hydrophilic

and undergoing irreversible nanopore collapse. In contrast

M-SA maintains its structural integrity and hydrophobicity because its ―Si(CH

)

groups are highly resistant to hydroly

sis. This divergence dictates the behavior during latex blending. The ethanol released from E-SA disrupts electrostatic and steric stabilization

inducing latex coagulation

whereas M-SA/PVA dispersions preserve colloidal stability across diverse latex systems. As a practical demonstration

M-SA-reinforced chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSM) rubber latex composites show more than a 50% reduction in thermal conductivity while maintaining chemical resistance

enabling high-performance insulating protective gloves and coatings. This work establishes a critical link between aerogel surface chemistry and aqueous processing stability

providing a mechanistic foundation for the rational design of water-based rubber/silica aerogel composites and next-generation thermal insulation materials.

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Stable Integration of Hydrophobic Silica Aerogels into Rubber Latex via Poly(vinyl alcohol)-assisted Aqueous Processing for Thermal Insulating Composites

DOI：10.1007/s10118-025-3521-5

摘要

Abstract

关键词

Keywords

references