Auto-Continuous Synthesis of Robust and Hydrophobic Silica Aerogel Microspheres from Low-Cost Aqueous Sodium Silicate for Fast Dynamic Organics Removal.

ABSTRACT: An efficient auto-continuous globing process was developed with a self-built apparatus to synthesize pure silica aerogel microspheres (PSAMs) using sodium silicate as a precursor and water as a solvent. A hydrophobic silica aerogel microsphere (HSAM) was obtained by methyl grafting. A reinforced silica aerogel microsphere (RSAM) was prepared by polymer cross-linking on the framework of the silica gel. The pH value of the reaction system and the temperature of the coagulating bath were critical to form perfect SAMs with a diameter of 3.0 ± 0.2 mm. The grafted methyl groups are thermally stable up to 400 °C. Polymer cross-linking increased the strength significantly, owing to the polymer coating on the framework of silica aerogel. The pore volumes of HSAM (6.44 cm3/g) and RSAM (3.17 cm3/g) w

SUBMITTER: Sun Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9777793 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature