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Sol-Gel Materials for Energy, Environment and Electronic Applications pp 1–22Cite as

An Introduction to Sol-Gel Processing for Aerogels

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Part of the book series: Advances in Sol-Gel Derived Materials and Technologies ((Adv.Sol-Gel Deriv. Materials Technol.))

Abstract

Sol-gel processing facilitates effortless control of the composition, properties, and architecture of nanosystems. For this reason, the technology has been adapted as a popular route for the preparation of nanostructures. The process supports the preparation of intricate three-dimensional networks extended throughout a liquid phase (a gel) through the agglomeration of nanoparticles dispersed within a colloidal suspension (sol). In order to gain a greater understanding of the process before exploring the possible applications of the technology, this chapter outlines the activities involved in sol-gel processing. The formation of sol-gel materials is explained by briefly focusing on the mechanisms of hydrolysis and condensation, in addition to ageing and drying of wet gels. Sol-gel processing can be used to form a range of architectures from fibres and films to fine powders and monoliths, however this chapter will focus on sol-gel processing for aerogels specifically.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nanotechnology and Bio-Engineering Research Group, Department of Environmental Sciences, Institute of Technology Sligo, Sligo, Ireland

    Saoirse Dervin & Suresh C. Pillai

  2. Centre for Precision Engineering, Materials and Manufacturing Research (PEM), Institute of Technology Sligo, Sligo, Ireland

    Saoirse Dervin & Suresh C. Pillai

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  1. Saoirse Dervin
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  1. Nanotechnology and Bio-Engineering Research Group, Institute of Technology Sligo, Sligo, Ireland

    Suresh C. Pillai

  2. Nanotechnology and Bio-Engineering Research Group, Institute of Technology Sligo, Sligo, Ireland

    Sarah Hehir

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Dervin, S., Pillai, S.C. (2017). An Introduction to Sol-Gel Processing for Aerogels. In: Pillai, S., Hehir, S. (eds) Sol-Gel Materials for Energy, Environment and Electronic Applications. Advances in Sol-Gel Derived Materials and Technologies. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-50144-4_1

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