Percolation of the organic phase in hybrid organic–inorganic aerogels

• Published in: Journal of sol-gel science and technology Vol. 50; no. 2; pp. 170 - 175
• Main Authors: Morales-Flórez, V., Toledo-Fernández, J. A., de la Rosa-Fox, N., Piñero, M., Esquivias, L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.05.2009; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Ceramics; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Colloidal gels. Colloidal sols; Colloidal state and disperse state; Composites; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Glass; Inorganic Chemistry; Materials Science; Mechanical properties; Nanotechnology; Natural Materials; Optical and Electronic Materials; Percolation; Porous materials; Silica aerogels; Silicon dioxide; Special Issue-Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of Professor David Avnir; Weight; Aerogels; Structural modelling; Computer simulation; Monte Carlo; Porous materials; Hybrid organic–inorganic; Cluster model; Monte Carlo; Porous materials; Monte Carlo method; Binary compound; Aerogel; Porous material; Silica; Texture; Aerogels; Hybrid organic-inorganic; Cluster model; Structural modelling; Additive; Sol gel process; Percolation; Structural model; Models
• ISSN: 0928-0707; 1573-4846
• DOI: 10.1007/s10971-008-1874-1

The properties (texture, mechanical behaviour, etc.) of hybrid organic–inorganic silica aerogels change dramatically when the concentration of the organic additive is varied from a given value. It has been known for several years that this critical concentration is around 40% of the total weight of silica present in the sample. We have made use of a new structural model to conclude that this concentration of 40% by weight corresponds to the percolation threshold of the organic phase.