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Analysis and characterization of etched silica aerogels

  • Original Paper: Nano- and macroporous materials (aerogels, xerogels, cryogels, etc.)
  • Published:
Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Silica aerogels are unique materials with characteristics that allow them to be used in a wide variety of applications. They are nanoporous, with low density, large surface area, low thermal conductivity, and they are relatively translucent. Recently, the use of a CO2 engraving and cutting system to etch a variety of patterns, including text and photographs, onto the surface of silica aerogel with minimal damage to the bulk aerogel was demonstrated; however, the mechanism by which the aerogel surface is altered was not understood and the extent of the damage not quantified. In this paper we present results on the effect of etching on, and cutting through, silica aerogel material with a CO2 laser engraving and cutting system, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and gas adsorption analysis. SEM analyses of the etched aerogel material show evidence of melting. Surface areas of the etched portion of aerogel monoliths are lower compared that the unetched material while pore diameters are larger. FTIR shows that little structural change occurs on the molecular level during etching of the silica aerogel.

Silica aerogel can be etched using a CO2 laser engraver and cutting system: (a) a photograph of aerogel etched with a geometric pattern shows no damage to the bulk material; (b) an SEM micrograph of a single laser pulse indicates that some of the material is removed via vaporization; and (c) a higher magnification SEM micrograph of an etched section of the aerogel shows evidence of melting/sintering due to interaction of the laser pulse with the surface.

Highlights

  • A CO2 laser can be used to cut and etch silica aerogel without damage to the bulk material.

  • Electron microscopy shows that the CO2 laser melts and ablates the surface of the aerogel.

  • BET surface area for the etched aerogel material is less than that of the bulk aerogel material.

  • FTIR spectra show no molecular level structural change to the etched aerogel.

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Acknowledgements

AMS and CA would like to acknowledge the Union College Summer Research Fellowship program for stipend support for the project and the Union College Student Research Grant program for providing funds for materials. We thank Annelise Lobo for assistance with the gas adsorption data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Union College, Schenectady, NY, 12308, USA

    Allison M. Stanec & Ann M. Anderson

  2. Department of Chemistry, Union College, Schenectady, NY, 12308, USA

    Chris Avanessian & Mary K. Carroll

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  1. Allison M. Stanec
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  2. Ann M. Anderson
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Correspondence to Ann M. Anderson.

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Stanec, A.M., Anderson, A.M., Avanessian, C. et al. Analysis and characterization of etched silica aerogels. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 94, 406–415 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-020-05256-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-020-05256-5

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