The nanoporous structure of aerogels not only provides excellent thermal insulation but also possesses strong adsorption capabilities. This adsorptive property makes aerogels a promising, highly efficient fire suppressant capable of rapidly absorbing harmful chemicals and smoke from fire sources.
According to the Chinese standard T/COS 014-2023 "Silica-Based Aerogel Fire Extinguishing Agent," aerogel-based extinguishing agents can be used to combat Class A, B, E, and F fires, as well as initial fires involving lithium batteries, alcohols, and heavy oils. The release of this standard marks the formal entry of aerogel fire extinguishants into practical application.
Zhang Xuetong and colleagues developed a highly effective liquid fire extinguisher incorporating aerogel materials. Through synergistic effects between aerogel powder and fire-suppression enhancers, this agent effectively blocks heat transfer and flame propagation, demonstrating simple operation, high safety, outstanding fire suppression efficiency, and excellent flame-retardant properties.
An Chun developed a water-based, high-efficiency aerogel fire extinguisher composed of inorganic aerogel powder and multiple flame retardants, exhibiting superior fire protection and flame inhibition performance. Due to its longer shelf life and enhanced fire suppression capability, this formulation has gained broader application.
LIU C X et al. prepared an aerogel-based fire extinguishing agent and conducted fire suppression tests using it, ammonium phosphate dry powder, and water-based extinguishants on both Class A and Class B standard fires. Comparative testing revealed that the aerogel extinguishing agent outperformed conventional agents in terms of extinguishing time and cooling rate.
Lithium battery fires spread rapidly, release toxic gases, and are difficult to extinguish, posing significant threats to human health and safety. Research by WENG JW et al. and Li Song demonstrated that aerogels significantly reduce heat absorption, suppress flames, lower peak combustion temperatures, and delay fire spread, providing scientific experimental evidence and practical guidance for preventing and controlling lithium iron phosphate battery fires.
Aerogel foam extinguishing agents are prepared by dispersing surface-modified inorganic porous aerogel particles, phosphorus-based flame retardants, nitrogen-based flame retardants, and hydrophilic agents into water at specific mass ratios. Liu Tong et al. established a test platform equipped with an aerogel-based fire suppression spray system to evaluate the effectiveness of aerogel foam in preventing and suppressing battery fires.
After battery ignition, aerogel extinguishing agents exhibit excellent open-flame suppression. Upon contact with the battery surface, they form a dense foam layer that effectively isolates oxygen, enabling rapid fire suppression. In cases of thermal runaway, the preheating coverage effect of aerogel extinguishing agents significantly reduces the duration of jet fires, greatly mitigating the hazards associated with battery fires.
In summary, the development and application of aerogel-based fire extinguishing agents offer new options in fire prevention and control. From standardization to real-world deployment, aerogel extinguishing agents have increasingly drawn attention due to their exceptional performance and safety across various fire scenarios.
With outstanding thermal insulation and adsorption properties, aerogels are playing an increasingly important role in safety applications. In fire protection, their high-efficiency insulation makes them ideal materials for enhancing building fire resistance ratings and improving fire safety in ships. Aerogels are particularly suitable for isolating thermal runaway in lithium batteries, offering innovative solutions for new energy safety.
Moreover, the lightweight nature of aerogels makes them ideal for improving firefighting gear performance, thereby enhancing firefighter protection in harsh fire environments. In fire suppression and rescue operations, aerogel-based extinguishing agents are gaining recognition for their environmental friendliness, high efficiency, and ability to handle complex fires such as those involving lithium batteries. They not only quickly extinguish flames but also absorb harmful chemicals and smoke, reducing the impact of fires on both the environment and human health.
Aerogels show great promise in fire prevention and firefighting applications, yet face challenges such as high production costs and poor mechanical properties. Traditional supercritical drying and freeze-drying techniques are costly and energy-intensive; although ambient-pressure drying has seen some development, the former two methods remain the preferred choices for new aerogel development. Moreover, the use of organic solvents during the manufacturing process poses potential risks to both the environment and human health, and their safe disposal further increases production costs.
To promote the commercialization and practical application of aerogels, it is essential to explore more environmentally friendly and cost-effective manufacturing processes. To address issues such as brittleness and hygroscopicity in certain aerogels, functional modification or the development of novel composite aerogels can be actively pursued to enhance mechanical strength and hydrophobicity. With ongoing technological advancements, the future application of aerogels in fire protection and firefighting will undoubtedly become even more extensive.