Aerogel Sintering: From Optical Glasses to Nuclear Waste Containment

Fractal Structure in Silica and Composites Aerogels

“…Aerogels were obtained by supercrit MPa) [38,39]. The samples were labeled conditions, respectively, and x referred t The density range varies between 0.02 the samples was calculated by weighin know dimensions and the standard dev [6,14]. After I(q) at large q, demonstrating that oxida and the fractal dimension is close to 1.8.…”

“…This power law suggests fuzzy particles with a fractal surface [36,37]. The structure at that scale can be modified by oxidation at 500 • C. Remaining -CH 3 groups are removed at 500 • C and new siloxane bonds are created [6,14]. After such a treatment, one observes q −4 dependence of I(q) at large q, demonstrating that oxidation smoothens the surface of the particles.…”

“…The str modified by oxidation at 500 °C. Remaining -CH3 groups are r siloxane bonds are created [6,14]. After such a treatment, one I(q) at large q, demonstrating that oxidation smoothens the su weakly dependent on the aerogel density [33].…”

“…There are currently many applications of aerogels, such as catalysts [ 2 ], insulators [ 3 ], sensors [ 9 ] environmental [ 10 ] and biomedical applications [ 11 , 12 ], etc., and the potential uses of these materials are even larger if one considers the aerogel as a precursor. Through heat treatments, the silica aerogels can indeed be sintered into silicate glasses and glass ceramics [ 13 , 14 ]. However, these porous materials can also be used as a matrix for the synthesis of multi-phase materials, doped materials, or composites.…”

“…The large pore volume can be used as a host to incorporate other chemical species and form a two-phase material. The chemical species are initially processed in liquid form but can be dried after pores filling [ 14 , 15 ].…”