Enhancement in the Textural Properties and Hydrophobicity of Tetraethoxysilane-based Silica Aerogels by Phenyl Surface Modification

Robust and hydrophobic tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) based silica aerogel was synthesized by supercritical alcohol drying with surface modification using the phenyl based silica co-precursor (PTMS). The aerogels were synthesized by hydrolysis and polycondensation reaction in which TEOS and PTMS in methanol were reacted together in presence of oxalic acid and ammonium hydroxide as the catalysts. Supercritical alcohol dried PTMS/TEOS composite silica aerogel were examined for the hydrophobicity, chemical interaction, surface morphology, and textural characteristics. The hydrophobic silica-based aerogels were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to investigate the presence of functional groups and chemical bonds. The prepared silica demonstrates hydrophobicity (76°-149°), a high specific surface area (398 ㎡/g to 739 ㎡/g). The present investigation provides a simple approach to synthesize hydrophobic and thermally stable silica aerogels.