Method for rapidly producing microporous and mesoporous materials

Patent · Mon Nov 10 23:00:00 EST 1997

OSTI ID:563717

Coronado, P R; Poco, J F; Hrubesh, L W; Hopper, R W

An improved, rapid process is provided for making microporous and mesoporous materials, including aerogels and pre-ceramics. A gel or gel precursor is confined in a sealed vessel to prevent structural expansion of the gel during the heating process. This confinement allows the gelation and drying processes to be greatly accelerated, and significantly reduces the time required to produce a dried aerogel compared to conventional methods. Drying may be performed either by subcritical drying with a pressurized fluid to expel the liquid from the gel pores or by supercritical drying. The rates of heating and decompression are significantly higher than for conventional methods. 3 figs.

• Research Organization: University of California
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: Univ. of California, Oakland, CA (United States)
• Patent Number(s): US 5,686,031/A/
• Application Number: PAN: 8-368,823
• OSTI ID: 563717
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
DRYING
FABRICATION
FOAMS
GELS
POROUS MATERIALS
PRECURSOR