Abstract
Monolithic yttrium-based aerogels and xerogels were prepared by the epoxide addition method. The effects of changing both the gelation solvent and the yttrium salt precursor in the reaction were investigated. The porous morphology of the resulting aerogel materials was investigated using gas adsorption/desorption analysis, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The solvent in which the aerogels were formed was found to significantly impact the porous structure and physical morphology of these materials. The counterion used to synthesize the gels also had a profound impact on gel formation. The chloride salt precursor gave successful gels while the nitrate salt gave only precipitates. The yttrium-based xerogels synthesized were annealed at various temperatures in static air, nitrogen, and oxygen atmospheres. The annealed materials were analyzed using powder X-ray diffraction. The amorphous as-synthesized material is found to form the stoichiometric yttrium oxide by way of an oxygen deficient yttrium oxide species which is black in color.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
