In Situ Sol-Gel Synthesis of Unique Silica Structures Using Airborne Assembly: Implications for In-Air Reactive Manufacturing.

ABSTRACT: Optical trapping enables the real-time manipulation and observation of morphological evolution of individual particles during reaction chemistry. Here, optical trapping was used in combination with Raman spectroscopy to conduct airborne assembly and kinetic experiments. Micro-droplets of alkoxysilane were levitated in air prior to undergoing either acid- or base-catalyzed sol-gel reaction chemistry to form silica particles. The evolution of the reaction was monitored in real-time; Raman and Mie spectroscopies confirmed the in situ formation of silica particles from alkoxysilane droplets as the product of successive hydrolysis and condensation reactions, with faster reaction kinetics in acid catalysis. Hydrolysis and condensation were accompanied by a reduction in droplet volume and silica

SUBMITTER: Barker CR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9425431 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature