Hydrophobic Silica Aerogels by Ambient Pressure Drying

Abstract

Silica aerogels have been prepared through sol-gel process by polymerization of TEOS in the presence of NH4F and NH4OH as catalysts. The solvent present in the gel is replaced by ethanol followed by a non-polar solvent such as n-hexane prior to solvent modification step. Gels are made hydrophobic by treating them with HMDZ to prevent rupture during drying, which has been confirmed by FTIR. Gels are then washed and dried carefully in a PID controlled oven at atmospheric pressure. The ageing duration and solvent exchange combinations are optimized to yield crack-free gels prior to drying. Aerogels are characterized for density, specific surface area, pore volume, pore size, thermal stability and contact angle. Hydrophobic, high surface area (570 m2/g), low density (0.07 g/cm3) silica aerogels are synthesized by using optimized mole ratio of precursors and catalysts. Silica aerogel granules (1-3 mm) as well as monoliths (Ф~35 mm) could be produced through ambient pressure drying of gels.