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Title: A synthetic route to organic aerogels: Mechanism, structure, and properties. [Resorcinol-formaldehyde]

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6932678

The base catalyzed, aqueous reaction of resorcinol with formaldehyde follows a sol-gel pathway in which surface functionalized polymer clusters are formed. The covalent crosslinking of these clusters produces gels which are dried under supercritical conditions to obtain low density, organic aerogels which are dried under supercritical conditions to obtain low density, organic aerosols (less than or equal to200 mg/cc). The aerosols are transparent and have cell sizes less than 1000 /angstrom/. Their microstructure consists of interconnected colloidal-like particles with diameters of 30-100 /angstrom/. The particle size, cell size, surface area, and density of resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) aerogels are largely determined by the catalyst concentration in the mixture. RF aerogels are similar to silica aerogels in many ways, yet a comparison of their mechanical properties suggests subtle morphological differences. 24 refs., 12 figs.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48
OSTI ID:
6932678
Report Number(s):
UCRL-99554; CONF-8809131-1; ON: DE88017112
Resource Relation:
Conference: 2. international symposium on aerogels, Montpellier, France, 21 Sep 1988; Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English