Synthesis and Characterization of Hydrophobic Silica Aerogels Using Trimethylethoxysilane as a Co-Precursor

The hydrophobic property is one of the most important requirements for the long-term use of silica aerogels for transparent or translucent window insulation and opaque thermal insulating systems. Therefore, the present paper deals with the synthesis and characterization of hydrophobic silica aerogels using trimethylethoxysilane (TMES) as a co-precursor. Silica sol was prepared by keeping the molar ratio of tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) precursor, methanol (MeOH) solvent, water (H₂O) and ammonia (NH₄OH) catalyst constant at 1:12:4:3.7 × 10^–3 respectively throughout the experiments and the TMES/TMOS molar ratio (A) was varied from 0 to 2.35. The resulting silica alcogels were dried supercritically by high-temperature alcohol solvent extraction. Hydrophobicity of the aerogels was tested by measuring the percentage of water adsorbed by the aerogels after putting them directly on the surface of water under humid conditions. Alternately, the hydrophobicity was also tested by contact angle measurements. It was found that as the A value increased, the hydrophobicity of the aerogels increased but the optical transmission decreased from 93% to less than 5% in the visible range. The thermal stability of the aerogels was studied in the temperature range from 25 to 400°C. The hydrophobic nature of the aerogels was maintained up to a temperature of 300°C. The aerogels were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, optical transmittance, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and contact angle measurements. The results have been discussed by taking into account the hydrolysis and condensation mechanisms.     

Hydrophobic silica aerogels prepared via rapid supercritical extraction

Hydrophobic silica aerogels have been prepared using the rapid supercritical extraction (RSCE) technique. The RSCE technique is a one-step methanol supercritical extraction method for producing aerogel monoliths in 3 to 8 h. Standard aerogels were prepared from a tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) recipe with a molar ratio of TMOS:MeOH:H₂O:NH₄OH of 1.0:12.0:4.0:7.4 × 10⁻³. Hydrophobic aerogels were prepared using the same recipe except the TMOS was replaced with a mixture of TMOS and one of the following organosilane co-precursors: methytrimethoxysilane (MTMS), ethyltrimethoxysilane (ETMS), or propyltrimeth-oxysilane (PTMS). Results show that, by increasing the amount of catalyst and increasing gelation time, monolithic aerogels can be prepared out of volume mixtures including up to 75% MTMS, 50% ETMS or 50% PTMS in 7.5–15 h. As the amount of co-precursor is increased the aerogels become more hydrophobic (sessile tests with water droplets yield contact angles up to 155°) and less transparent (transmission through a 12.2-mm thick sample decreases from 83 to 50% at 800 nm). The skeletal and bulk density decrease and the surface area increases (550–760 m²/g) when TMOS is substituted with increasing amounts of MTMS. The amount of co-precursor does not affect the thermal conductivity. SEM imaging shows significant differences in the nanostructure for the most hydrophobic surfaces.     

Synthesis and physical properties of TEOS-based silica aerogels prepared by two step (acid–base) sol–gel process

The experimental results on the synthesis and physical properties of tetraethoxysilane- (TEOS) based silica aerogels produced by two step (acid–base) sol–gel process, are reported. The oxalic acid (A) and NH₄OH (B) concentrations were varied from 0 to 0.1 M and from 0.4 to 3 M, respectively. Monolithic and transparent aerogels have been obtained for the values of A=0.001 M and B=1 M. The effect of time interval (t) before the base catalyst (NH₄OH) addition to the acidic sol was studied from 0 to 72 h. The time interval at t=24 h of NH₄OH addition was found to be the best, in terms of low volume shrinkage, high optical transmission and monolithicity. The molar ratio of EtOH/TEOS (S) was varied from 3 to 7.5. Monolithic and transparent aerogels were obtained for an S value of 6.9. Also, the effects of molar ratio of acidic water, i.e., H₂O/TEOS (W₁) and basic water, i.e., H₂O/TEOS (W₂) on the physical properties of the aerogels have been studied. Highly transparent (∼90%) and monolithic aerogels with lower volume shrinkage (<10%) were obtained for the molar ratio 1:6.9:3.5:2.2 of TEOS:EtOH:acidic (H₂O):basic (H₂O). The results are discussed by taking into consideration the hydrolysis and polycondensation reactions. The aerogels were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical transmission, bulk density, volume shrinkage and porosity measurements.     

Ambient pressure dried tetrapropoxysilane-based silica aerogels with high specific surface area

In the present paper, we report the synthesis of tetrapropoxysilane (TPOS)-based silica aerogels with high surface area and large pore volume. The silica aerogels were prepared by a two-step sol-gel process followed by surface modification via a simple ambient pressure drying approach. In order to minimize drying shrinkage and obtain hydrophobic aerogels, the surface of the alcogels was modified using trichloromethylsilane as a silylating agent. The effect of the sol-gel compositional parameters on the polymerization of aerogels prepared by TPOS, one of the precursors belonging to the Si(OR)₄ family, was reported for the first time. The oxalic acid and NH₄OH concentrations were adjusted to achieve good-quality aerogels with high surface area, low density, and high transparency. Controlling the hydrolysis and condensation reactions of the TPOS precursor turned out to be the most important factor to determine the pore characteristics of the aerogel. Highly transparent aerogels with high specific surface area (938 m²/g) and low density (0.047 g/cm³) could be obtained using an optimized TPOS/MeOH molar ratio with appropriate concentrations of oxalic acid and NH₄OH.     

Study of thermal conductivity and effect of humidity on HMDZ modified TEOS based aerogel dried at ambient pressure

The experimental results on the study of thermal conductivity and effect of humidity on HMDZ modified TEOS based aerogels dried at ambient pressure, are reported. Silica sol was prepared by keeping the MeOH/TEOS molar ratio, Acidic water (Oxalic acid) and basic water (NH₄OH) concentrations constant at 16.5, 0.001 and 1 M, respectively throughout the experiments and the HMDZ/TEOS molar ratio (h) was varied from 0.34 to 2.1. Finally, the surface modified wet gels were dried at an ambient pressure. The thermal conductivity of the aerogel samples was measured. Further, the humidity study was carried out in 80% humid surrounding at 30 °C temperature over 80 days. The best quality aerogels in terms of low bulk density, thermal conductivity and durability (no moisture absorption) with an only 2% of weight gain were obtained for TEOS: MeOH: Acidic H₂O: Basic H₂O: HMDZ molar ratio at 1:16.5:0.81:0.50:0.681, respectively. The thermal stability and hydrophobicity of the aerogel have been confirmed with Thermo gravimetric and Differential Thermal (TG–DT) analyses and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), respectively. Microstructural studies were carried out by Scanning Electron microscopy (SEM).     

Optically transparent silica aerogels based on sodium silicate by a two step sol–gel process and ambient pressure drying

Interest in improving the optical transmission of sodium silicate-based aerogels by ambient pressure drying led to the synthesis of aerogels using a two-step sol–gel process. To produce optically transparent silica aerogel granules, NH₄F (1 M) and HCl (4 M) were used as hydrolyzing and condensation catalysts, respectively. The silica aerogels were characterized by their bulk density, porosity (%), contact angle and thermal conductivity. Optical transmission of as synthesized aerogels was studied by comparing the photos of aerogel granules. Scanning electron microscopic study showed the presence of fractal structures in these aerogels. The degree of transparency in two step sol–gel process-based aerogels is higher than the conventional single step aerogels. The N₂ adsorption–desorption analysis depicts that the two step sol–gel based aerogels have large surface areas. Optically transparent silica aerogels with a low density of ∼0.125 g/cc, low thermal conductivity of ∼0.128 W/mK and higher Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller surface area of ∼425 m²/g were obtained by using NH₄F (1 M), HCl (4 M), and a molar ratio of Na₂SiO₃::H₂O::trimethylchlorosilane of 1::146.67::9.46. The aerogels retained their hydrophobicity up to 500 °C.     

Hydrogen-Bonded Aggregates of Scandium(III) Complexes

The influence of the concentration of halide ions and concentration of an organic component (Solv) in solutions on the composition, coordination number, and structure of the scandium(III) complexes in solutions and in crystal is studied. The ⁴⁵Sc NMR data show that the main factor determining Cl^– coordination in the Sc³⁺–Cl^––H₂O–Solv systems is the Solv concentration. According to the X-ray diffraction analysis data, at the molar ratios of X^– : Sc³⁺ < 3 (X^– = Cl, Br), the [Sc(OH)(H₂O)₅]₂X₄ · 2H₂O salts with a coordination number of Sc 7 are isolated from solutions in H₂O and alcohols (coordination core is ScO₇ and X^– ions are not involved in coordination). Supramolecular H-bonded aggregates containing the ScCl₃(H₂O)₃ molecular complex with coordination number of Sc 6 and meridianal arrangement of analogous ligands are isolated from solutions with the Cl^– : Sc³⁺ molar ratios from 3 to 20 (in concentrated HCl) using macrocyclic molecules (1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxocyclooctadecane (18C6) and 1,4,10,13-tetraoxo-7,16-diazacyclooctadecane (DA18C6)).     

Synthesis and spectroscopy of tpps-doped silica gels by the sol-gel process

Tetraphenylporphinetetrasulfonic acid (TPPS), which is well known as a photochemical hole-burning (PHB) dye, was incorporated in silica gels obtained by the sol-gel process from tetramethoxysilane (TMOS). The form of TPPS must be free base (H₂P), which exists in basic condition, to be active in PHB. To obtain transparent and higher density silica gels doped with free-base TPPS, two-step hydrolysis processes using solutions containing NaOH were developed, and the gels having bulk density of about 1.5 g/cm³ were synthesized. The form of TPPS in the gels was investigated by measuring the absorption and luminescence spectra, and it was found that in the silica gels almost all the TPPS retained free-base form at the molar ratio of NaOH/TMOS above 10^–3.     

Aquation of α-cis-chloroaquoethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetatocobalt(III) in aqueous and in mixed solvents: A mechanistic study

Summary The displacement of chloride ligands from -cis-chloro-aquoethylenediamine-N,N-diacetatocobalt(III) in nonacidic aqueous solutions was followed conductimetrically at 30–45° and the products of aquation were characterised by conductance, spectral and ion-exchange techniques. The rate constants for aquation in aqueous media and in 1 : 4 v : v mixed solvents at 25° are: 4.0 × 10^–5 s^–1 in H₂O, 2.71 × 10^–5 s^–1 in MeOH : H₂O, 2.74 × 10^–5 s^–1 in EtOH: H₂,O and 2.58 × 10^–5 s^–1 n in Me₂CO : H₂O. The corresponding H&#x002A; and S&#x002A; values have also been evaluated. Solvent polarity has a marked influence on the rate of chloride ion release. The aquation rate constants and the activation parameters have been correlated with solvent parameters,e.g. D, Y-values, Dimroth's E_T and Kosower's Z-values and, based on these correlations, a dissociative interchange (I_d) mechanism is proposed rather than dissociative as observed for some other cobalt(III) complexes.Senior author.     

Studies on synthesis, characterization and thermochemistry of Mg2[B2O4(OH)2]·H2O

A new magnesium borate Mg₂[B₂O₄(OH)₂]·H₂O has been synthesized by the method of phase transformation of double salt at hydrothermal condition and characterized by XRD, IR, TG and DSC. The enthalpy of solution of Mg₂[B₂O₄(OH)₂]·H₂O in 0.9764 mol L^–1 HCl was determined. With the incorporation of the enthalpies of solution of H₃BO₃ in HCl (aq), of MgO in (HCl+H₃BO₃) (aq), and the standard molar enthalpies of formation of MgO(s), H₃BO₃(s), and H₂O(l), the standard molar enthalpy of formation of –(3185.78±1.91) kJ mol^–1 of Mg₂[B₂O₄(OH)₂]·H₂O was obtained.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Catalytic hydrodechlorination of chlorobenzene in liquide phase

Catalytic hydrodechlorination of chlorobenzene (CB) was carried out in the liquid phase in a mixture of methanol/water (MeOH/H₂O) at 30°C and 2kg/cm² pressure. The reaction orders with respect to CB and H₂ pressure were one and zero, respectively. Addition of NH₄OH in the reaction produces a decrease in the activity (TOF). Solvent effect shows the following order of activity: H₂O>MeOH/H₂O>EtOH/H₂O>MeOH.     

Calcination of SiO2-aerogel in Oxidizing Atmosphere

Differences in mass loss occurring in the course of dynamic and isothermal heating of SiO₂-aerogel and changes of specific surface and hydrophylicity during calcination were studied by thermal analysis. SiO₂-aerogel was prepared from tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) hydrolyzed by ammonia solution at 0°C with molar ratio TMOS: H₂O:NH₄OH 4:1:0.01. Differences are caused mainly by oxidation of organic matter and by diffusion of products of the oxidation. Heat transfer has none or little effect on the differences. Samples calcined at temperatures about 300°C reach maximum hydrophilicity though they still contain small amounts of residual organic matter. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Extraction procedures for chemical speciation of arsenic in atmospheric total suspended particles

An arsenic chemical speciation study was performed in 2000, using air filters on which total suspended particles (TSP) were collected, from the city of Huelva, a medium size city with huge industrial influence in SW Spain. Different procedures for extraction of the arsenic species were performed using water, NH₂OH.HCl, and H₃PO₄ solutions, with either microwave or ultrasonic radiation. The best optimised extraction methods were use of 100 mmol L^–1 NH₂OH.HCl and 10 mmol L^–1 H₃PO₄ and microwave radiation for 4 min. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with hydride generation and atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HPLC–HG–AFS) was employed for determination of the arsenic species. The results from 12 TSP air filters collected on a monthly basis showed extraction was quantitative (94% with NH₂OH.HCl and 86% H₃PO₄). Only inorganic arsenic species (arsenite and arsenate) were detected. The mean arsenite concentration was 1.2±0.3 ng m^–3 (minimum 0.3 ng m^–3, maximum 1.8 ng m^–3). The mean arsenate concentration was 10.4±1.8 ng m^–3, with greater monthly variations than arsenite (minimum 2.1 ng m^–3, maximum 30.6 ng m^–3). The high level of arsenic species in the TSP samples can be related to a copper smelter located in the region.     

Kinetics of the anation reaction of pentaamineaquacobalt(III) by phosphorous acid/hydrogenphosphite

Summary The kinetics of the anation reaction of [Co(NH₃)₅H₂O]³⁺ by H₃PO₃/H₂PO ₃ ^– , to give [CoH₂PO₃(NH₃)₅]²⁺, have been studied at 60, 70 and 80°C, in the acidity range [H⁺](M)=1.5 · 10^–1 –2.0 · 10^–3. Only H₂PO₃ is found to be reactive. The rate data is consistent with an I_d mechanism. The mean value of outer sphere association of [Co(NH₃)H₂O]³⁺ with H₂PO ₃ ^– is 1.5 M^–1. Values of the interchange constants are: 10⁴4k_i(s^–1)= 0.29, 1.47, 5.13, at 60, 70 and 80 °C respectively (H= 1.4 · 10²KJmol^–1, S=8.3 · 10 JK^–1 mol^–1). The first acidity constant of H₃PO₃ at I=1.0 has also been determined: 10²K_a(M)=4.8, 5.2 and 5.5, at 25, 40 and 50 °C respectively.     

Supramolecular and metallosupramolecular coordination compounds of nickel(II) with the half units of vicinal oxime–imine ligands; mixed ligand complexes of the metal ion

The [1+1] condensation of isonitrosoacetylacetone (Hisoacac) with o-phenylenediamine produces the diazepine (HLBD) (1), which reacts with Ni(OAc)₂· 4H₂O (1:1 molar ratio) to produce the mixed ligand complex (LBDN)Ni(OAc) (2); where LBDN is the anion of the half unit obtained by hydrolysis of one HLBD imine linkage. The reaction of (2) (1 mol) with mono-, bi- and trichloroethanoic acid (1mol) or picric acid (1mol) led to the exchange of the acetate in (2) with the anion of the added acid [(3)–(6), respectively]. The supramolecular structure of (2)–(6) is achieved through the dimerization of these complexes via intermolecular hydrogen bonding of the LBDN –NH₂ group of one molecule and the monodentate acetate group of another molecule. The template reaction of o-phen with Hisoacac in the presence of Ni(OAc)₂·4H₂O (1:2:2 and 1:2:1 molar ratios, respectively) led to the formation of (LBDN)Ni(OAc)₂Ni(isoacac) (7) and (isophen)Ni (8), respectively; H₂isophen is a symmetrical Schiff base ligand formed by the (2:1) in situ condensation of Hisoacac with o-phen. The (1:1) condensation of Hisoacac with p-phen produced the half unit Hisopphen (9), whose 1:1 molar ratio reaction with Ni(OAc)₂·4H₂O led to the formation of (isopphen)Ni(OAc)·2H₂O (10). The amino group of the isopphen ligand is available for further coordination with the nickel(II) ion to produce the metallosupramolecular complexes {[two molecules of complex (10)] [Ni(OAc)₂]} and {[complex (10)] [Ni(OAc)₂·H₂O]} from the 2:1 and 1:1 molar ratio reactions, respectively, of (10) with Ni(OAc)₂·4H2O. The 1:1 molar ratio reaction of (10) with Hisoacac led to replacement of OAc by isoacac. The suggested structures of the ligands and their coordination compounds are based on analytical, chemical, spectral data and magnetic moments.     

Preparation,characterization and a kinetic study oftrans-[Ru(NH3)4L(H2O)](PF6)2 [L=PPh3, AsPh3, or SbPh3]

Summary The complexestrans-[Ru(NH₃)₄(H₂O)PPh₃](PF₆)₂ and [Ru(NH₃)₅L](PF₆)₂, (L=AsPh₃ or SbPh₃) have been isolated and characterized by microanalysis, cyclic voltammetry and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The specific rate constants for the aquation of [Ru(NH₃)₅L]²⁺ totrans-[Ru(NH₃)₄L(H₂O)]²⁺ are (2.5±0.1)×10^–5s^–1 and (1.8±0.1)×10^–5s^–1 for L=AsPh₃ and SbPh₃, respectively, at 25.0±0.1°C; =0.10 mol dm^–3, NaO₂CCF₃. Under the same conditions, the second-order rate constants for the substitution of water intrans-[Ru(NH₃)₄(H₂O)L]²⁺ by isonicotinamide (isn) are 1.2±0.1, (6.3±0.3)×10^–2 and (3.8±0.2)×10^–2 m ^–1s^–1 for L=PPh₃, AsPh₃, and SbPh₃, respectively, suggesting that the order of decreasingtrans-effect is: PPh₃AsPh₃>SbPh₃. The formation constants for thetrans-[Ru(NH₃)₄L(isn)]²⁺ complexes are 75±3, (1.40±0.01)×10³ and (1.80±0.02)×10³M^–1 for L=PPh₃, AsPh₃, and SbPh₃, respectively, suggesting that the order of increasingtrans-influence is: SbPh₃3PPh₃.     

Structural Analysis and Properties of Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Ionic Conductor Prepared by Sol-Gel Process

Organic-inorganic hybrid lithium ion conductors were prepared by the sol-gel process. The hybrid ion conductor will be used as the electrolyte for Li based high-energy density batteries. The hybrid ion conductor was prepared from a mixture of tetramethyl orthosilicate (TMOS), polyethylene glycol 200 (PEG₂₀₀), lithium perchlorate (LiClO₄) and water. A wet gel was prepared at room temperature. The gels dried at 80°C under vacuum did not contain water. The dried hybrid ion conductor gel had homogeneity and high transparency. Ionic conductivity of the hybrid sample was measured by the complex impedance method and it increased with increasing PEG₂₀₀ content. The dried hybrid gel that contained no LiClO₄ did not show ion conduction. Conductivity on the order of 10^–5 S·cm^–1 at room temperature was obtained. Structural characterization was done by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectra (FTIR) and NMR measurement of ¹³C and ¹H, and the thermal stability and glass transition properties were studied by DSC. Glass transition temperature decreased with increasing PEG₂₀₀ content and increased with increasing [Li]/[O] ratio (the oxygen considered is from the polyethylene glycol). Existence of the Si–O–(C₂H₄O) _n –bond and the C–OH bond in the framework of the organic and inorganic phases was confirmed. TMOS and PEG₂₀₀ were hydrolyzed and condensed. The organic and inorganic phases were chemically bonded and the microstructure of the hybrid matrix was shaped as comb. The comb shape leads to high ionic conduction.     

121Sb,123Sb AND209Bi NQR spectra of antimony(III) and bismuth(III) ethylenediaminetetraacetate compounds

A¹²¹Sb,¹²³Sb, and²⁰⁹Bi NQR spectral study was carried out on SbHEDTA·nH₂O, BiHEDTA·nH₂O(n=2, 0), MBiEDTA·H₂O, M₂Bi(OH)EDTA·nH₂O (n=3,1, M=K,NH₄), and K₂BiFEDTA·3H₂ O. Piezoelectric properties were found in MHEDTA·2H₂O (M=Sb,Bi) and SbHEDTA. The temperature range of the piezoelectric phase for SbHEDTA was found to be 100–270 K.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 8, pp. 1915–1918, August, 1989.     

Volumetric properties of H2O, D2O, and methanol in acetonitrile at 278.15—318.15 K

The densities of H₂O, D₂O, and MeOH solutions in acetonitrile with the solute concentrations up to 0.07 molar fractions at 278.15, 288.15, 298.15, 308.15, and 318.15 K were measured using vibrating-tube densimetry with an error 8·10^–6 g cm^–3. The limiting partial molar volumes for the H/D isotopomers of water and IaII in acetonitrile (V^– ₂ ) and the isotope effects in V^– ₂ and in excess molar volumes of acetonitrile—water mixtures were calculated. Molecules of H₂O, D₂O, and IaII form associates with acetonitrile molecules via hydrogen bonds. The associates have the packing volumes close to those in the individual solute. The water and methanol molecules were assumed to be incorporated into the acetonitrile structure without substantial changes in the latter. However, this process results in some compression of the system with a simultaneous increase in its expansibility.     

Hydrophobic and Physical Properties of the Two Step Processed Ambient Pressure Dried Silica Aerogels with Various Exchanging Solvents

The experimental results by using various exchanging solvents in the preparation of two step (acid and base) processed ambient pressure dried hydrophobic silica aerogels, are reported. Silica alcogels were prepared by hydrolysis with oxalic acid and condensation with NH₄OH of ethanol diluted tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) precursor and hexamethyldisilazane(HMDZ) methylating agent. The exchanging solvents used were: hexane, cyclohexane, heptane, benzene, toluene and xylene. The physical properties such as % of volume shrinkage, density, pore volume, % of porosity, thermal conductivity, % of optical transmission, surface area, pore size distribution and contact angle (θ) of the silica aerogels with water, were measured as a function of EtOH/TEOS molar ratios (R) for all the exchanging solvents. It was found that the physical and hydrophobic properties of the silica aerogels strongly depend on the nature of the solvent and R. Heptane solvent resulted in highly transparent (≈90% optical transmission at 700 nm for 1 cm thick sample), low density (≈0.060 g/cm³), low thermal conductive (≈0.070 W/m·K), high % of porosity (97%), high surface area (750 m²/g), uniform porosity and hydrophobic (θ ≈ 160°) aerogels compared to other solvents. On the otherhand, xylene resulted in aerogels with higher hydrophobicity (θ ≈ 172°) among other solvents.