Aerogel

1. An aerogel wherein a ratio Q+T:D of a signal area derived from Q and T to a signal area derived from D is from 1:0.01 to 1:0.5 when in a solid 29 Si-NMR spectrum as measured by using DD/MAS method, silicon-containing bonding units of Q, T, and D are defined below:

Q: a silicon-containing bonding unit comprising four oxygen atoms that are bonded to one silicon atom;

T: a silicon-containing bonding unit comprising three oxygen atoms and one hydrogen atom or one mono-valent organic group that are bonded to one silicon atom; and

D: a silicon-containing bonding unit comprising two oxygen atoms and two hydrogen atoms or two mono-valent organic groups that are bonded to one silicon atom,

providing that the organic group is a mono-valent organic group where an atom bonded to a silicon atom is a carbon atom,

the aerogel comprising a ladder type structure including a structure represented by the following general formula (3):

wherein in the formula (3), R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , and R 8 each independently represents an alkyl group or an aryl group; “a” and “c” each independently represents an integer of from 1 to 3.000; and “b” represents an integer of from 5 to 50.

2. The aerogel according to claim 1 , having a thermal conductivity of 0.03 W/m K or less at 25° C. under atmospheric pressure.

3. The aerogel according to claim 1 , having a compressive elasticity modulus of 2 MPa or less at 25° C. under atmospheric pressure.

4. The aerogel according to claim 1 , having a recovery rate from deformation of 90% or more.

5. The aerogel according to claim 1 , having a maximum compressive deformation rate of 80% or more.

6. The aerogel according to claim 1 , further comprising a structure represented by the following general formula (1):

wherein in the formula (I), R 1 and R 2 each independently represents an alkyl group or an aryl group and R 3 and R 4 each independently represents an alkylene group.

7. A heat insulating material comprising the aerogel according to claim 1 .