METHOD OF MAKING SOL-GEL MONOLITHS

摘要

2088500 9202467 PCTABS00010 A method of making a sol-gel monolith, comprising the steps of: a) hydrolyzing and polycondensing one or more oxide percursors to form a sol comprising a plurality of oxide particles suspended in a liquid; b) casting said sol into a mold; c) gelling said sol by cross-linking said oxide particles to form a gel; d) aging said gel to form an aged gel; e) subjecting said aged gel to a drying treatment comprising the steps of: i) heating said aged gel in a high humidity environment; and then ii) heating said aged gel in a low humidity environment to remove liquid from the pores of the aged gel to form a dried, aged gel; and f) densifying said dried, aged gel to form a sol-gel monolith.