Method for producing metal oxide aerogels
- Tracy, CA
- Livermore, CA
- Pleasanton, CA
A two-step hydrolysis-condensation method was developed to form metal oxide aerogels of any density, including densities of less than 0.003g/cm.sup.3 and greater than 0.27g/cm.sup.3. High purity metal alkoxide is reacted with water, alcohol solvent, and an additive to form a partially condensed metal intermediate. All solvent and reaction-generated alcohol is removed, and the intermediate is diluted with a nonalcoholic solvent. The intermediate can be stored for future use to make aerogels of any density. The aerogels are formed by reacting the intermediate with water, nonalcoholic solvent, and a catalyst, and extracting the nonalcoholic solvent directly. The resulting monolithic aerogels are hydrophobic and stable under atmospheric conditions, and exhibit good optical transparency, high clarity, and homogeneity. The aerogels have high thermal insulation capacity, high porosity, mechanical strength and stability, and require shorter gelation times than aerogels formed by conventional methods.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- Assignee:
- Regents of University of California (Oakland, CA)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 5409683
- OSTI ID:
- 869847
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
producing
metal
oxide
aerogels
two-step
hydrolysis-condensation
developed
form
density
including
densities
003g
cm
27g
purity
alkoxide
reacted
water
alcohol
solvent
additive
partially
condensed
intermediate
reaction-generated
removed
diluted
nonalcoholic
stored
future
formed
reacting
catalyst
extracting
directly
resulting
monolithic
hydrophobic
stable
atmospheric
conditions
exhibit
optical
transparency
clarity
homogeneity
thermal
insulation
capacity
porosity
mechanical
strength
stability
require
shorter
gelation
times
conventional
methods
oxide aerogels
producing metal
alcohol solvent
metal alkoxide
conventional methods
thermal insulation
metal oxide
mechanical strength
form metal
optical transparency
gelation times
atmospheric conditions
condensed metal
purity metal
monolithic aerogel
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