Abstract: Silica aerogel-polystyrene composites were prepared by suspension polymerization. The effects of silica aerogel addition on the polymerization time, polymerization degree, molecular weight and distribution of the composites were studied. The influence on the properties such as T_g and high temperature stability of the composite was also investigated. The results show that with the increase of silica aerogel content, the polymerization time of the composite increases during polymerization, and the monomer conversion rate decreases. The GPC test shows that the number average molecular weight decreases and PDI increases with the addition of silica aerogel. In the mean time, the average particle size increased rapidly. The DSC and TG tests showed that the glass transition temperature and the initial decomposition temperature gradually increased, and the weight loss rate decreased.

Key words: silica aerogel, polystyrene, suspension polymerization, polymerization process, high temperature stability