Synthesis of ZrO2–SiO2 and ZrO2–SiO2–Cu(II) xerogels by joint hydrolysis in an aqueous ammonia atmosphere

Abstract

ZrO2–SiO2 xerogels have been synthesized through hydrolysis of a mixture of tetrabutoxyzirconium and tetraethoxysilane in a desiccator in a vapor of a 15% aqueous NH3 atmosphere. ZrO2–SiO2–Cu(II) xerogels were synthethized analogously through joint hydrolysis of a mixture of the organometallic precursors and copper(II) chloride. The effect of synthesis conditions on the physical and chemical properties of the resulting material has been studied.