Exploring a new preparation pathway for the synthesis of silica based xerogels as crack-free monoliths
Articles > Article · 2019
Authors: Selay SERT ÇOK, Fatos Koc, FİRUZ BALKAN, Nilay GİZLİ
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL, Journal Indexed in SCI Expanded, International, 2019, vol 45, pp 1616-1626
DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2018.10.038
Summary
Comprehensive investigations to achieve monolithic silica xerogels in crack-free form under ambient conditions were carried out. Seven silica xerogels (SXs) were synthesized by following two different production pathways (one-step, two-step) by changing the type of the sol components. Morphological and chemical characteristics of the silica xerogels were revealed with the aid of the FTIR, EDX, Contact Angle, SEM, TGA and BET analyses. Imidazolium based ionic liquids (ILs) were incorporated into the xerogel structure to serve as drying control chemical, as well as to promote spring-back effect during the solvent evaporation. Amine based silica source 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) was also included as a silica co-precursor to improve the silica network.