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U.S. Department of Energy
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Kinetics and structure of silicate sol-gels

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6734363

The structure of a silicate sol-gel derived material depends on the nature of its reaction kinetics. The chemical state of the silicate sol-gel is characterized by both the functional group concentrations and the distribution of the functional groups about a single silicon atom. {sup 29}Si nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy provides a way to quantitatively determine these concentrations and distributions as a function of time during the reaction. During the early stages of the sol-gel reaction, the distribution of hydrolyzed species enables one to calculate the relative rates of hydrolysis. During the intermediate stages of the reaction, the rate of formation of various condensed species enables one to determine the reaction rate constants for both water-producing and alcohol-producing condensation. The chemical bonding of sol-gel derived solid materials can be determined by direct polarization NMR combined with magic angle spinning techniques. These capabilities provide a valuable tool for studying the relationships between the reaction conditions, the chemical kinetics and the resulting structure of the sol-gel derived material. 8 refs., 4 figs.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE/DP
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00789
OSTI ID:
6734363
Report Number(s):
SAND-90-0109C; CONF-9007147--1; ON: DE90015702
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English