Influence of Gelation Temperature on Structural, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties of Monolithic Silica Gels with Mono- and Bimodal Pore Structure.

ABSTRACT: This study explores the impact of pore volume distribution on the structural, thermal, and mechanical properties of spinodal phase-separated silica gels synthesized with poly(ethylene oxide) as a phase-separating agent. By systematically varying gelation temperatures between 20 and 60 °C, we investigate how reaction kinetics influence the resulting pore architecture, thermal conductivity, and elasticity. Nitrogen sorption, mercury intrusion porosimetry, and SEM analysis reveal a transformation from a bimodal pore structure at low temperatures, featuring interconnected macropores, to a predominantly mesoporous network with loss of bimodality. This shift in the diameter of the macropores significantly impacts the thermal insulation properties of the gels as thermal conductivity decreases fro

SUBMITTER: Muller K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11942077 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature