Synthesis of a low-density tantalum oxide tile-like aerogel monolithic

Abstract

A tile-like Ta2O5 aerogel monolithic was prepared by sol–gel method. Tantalum ethoxide and tantalum pentachloride were used as precursors, ethanol as the solvent, and propylene oxide as the gelation agent. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and Barrett–Joyner–Halenda (BJH) methods were used to characterize the as-prepared aerogel. The combined results of these techniques indicated the presence of tantalum pentachloride and propylene oxide leading to the high porosity, high surface area, and low density of the Ta2O5 aerogel monolithic.