Patent ID: 8663742

Claim:
A method for preparing a polymer-aerogel composite coating comprising: providing a superhydrophobic coating solution, the superhydrophobic coating solution comprising a surface derivatized polysilicate aerogel dispersed in a first solvent, the polysilicate aerogel comprising a three dimensional network of silica particles having surface functional groups derivatized with a silylating agent; blending a polymer solution and the superhydrophobic coating solution to form a polymer-aerogel solution, wherein the polymer solution comprises one or more polymers dispersed in a second solvent; dissolving the polymer in the polymer-aerogel blend solution at a first temperature; and forming, a polymer-aerogel composite coating by applying the polymer-aerogel blend solution to a substrate surface while keeping the polymer-aerogel blend solution at the first temperature, such that the polymer wets the aerogel in the polymer-aerogel composite coating, wherein the surface derivatized polysilicate aerogel is an ultra high water content acid catalyzed polysilicate aerogel formed using a third solvent, at least one alkoxy silane precursor, water, and an acid, such that a molar ratio of water to alkoxy silane precursor is in the range of about 10 or more, wherein the polysilicate aerogel comprises a three dimensional network of silica particles having surface functional groups and a plurality of pores, and wherein a fluid is disposed in the plurality of pores, the fluid comprising the third solvent; and prior to blending the polymer solution and the superhydrophobic coating solution, replacing the fluid disposed in the plurality of pores of the polysilicate aerogel with a fourth solvent, wherein the fourth solvent is immiscible with the third solvent.