Effects of synthesis parameters towards morphological properties of silica Xerogels

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of synthesis parameters such as water to alcohol (water/alcohol) ratios, types of alcohol and catalysts towards morphological properties of silica xerogels which were prepared according to stober and conventional methods. The morphological properties of silica xerogels were determined using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). It was found that the silica xerogels tend to be spherical only in the presence of short chain alcohol as a co-solvent, increased particle size with decreasing water/alcohol ratios and increasing alcohol carbon atom number. There was no spherical morphology observed for butanol. As summary, the morphological properties of the silica xerogels formation depended on various experimental conditions used in the synthesis including types of catalyst, water/alcohol ratios and types of alcohol used.