Fast synthesis of transparent and hydrophobic silica aerogels using polyethoxydisiloxane and methyltrimethoxysilane in one-step drying process

Abstract

We have successfully synthesized the transparent and hydrophobic silica aerogels by a one-step drying process using appropriate amount of Polyethoxydisiloxane and methyltrimethoxysilane. With an introduction of modified rapid supercritical extraction technique, the synthesis process time was shortened down to one hour for a 4 L solution reaction. The observed transmittance of as-synthesized product is larger than 80% within the wavelength range of 500–1000 nm, and the contact angle is confirmed to be over 135°. Our results provide a path way to the fast synthesis of hydrophobic and transparent aerogels in near future for window insulator applications.