Abstract
Here we present an economical ambient pressure drying method of preparing monolithic silica aerogels from methyltrimethoxysilane precursor while using sodium bicarbonate solution as the exchanging solvent. We prepared silica aerogels with a density and a specific surface area of 0.053 g·cm−3 and 423 m2·g−1, respectively. The average pore diameter of silica aerogels is 23 nm as the pore specific volume is 1.11 cm3·g−1. Further, the contact angle between water droplet and the surface of silica aerogels in specific condition can be as high as 166°, which indicates a super-hydrophobic surface of aerogels.
Highlights
Silica aerogels (SAs) are highly porous nanomaterials with extremely low densities, high specific surface areas and high porosities [1]
To the best of our knowledge, there has been no report on using sodium bicarbonate solution as the exchanging solvent in ambient pressure drying (APD) method of MTMS-derived SAs, it is the aim of this study
Drying process causes more shrinkage of wet gels when solvent exchange was with hexane than sodium bicarbonate solution
Summary
Silica aerogels (SAs) are highly porous nanomaterials with extremely low densities, high specific surface areas and high porosities [1]. Due to these properties, SAs have various potential applications, e.g., drug delivery systems [2], energy storage systems [3], cosmic dust capture [4], paints [5], food packaging [6], and insulation in buildings [7]. To the best of our knowledge, there has been no report on using sodium bicarbonate solution as the exchanging solvent in APD method of MTMS-derived SAs, it is the aim of this study. Yujing Liu et al Methyltrimethoxysilane and sodium bicarbonate solution aerogels
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
