INORGANIC OXIDE AEROGELS AND THEIR PREPARATION

摘要

The invention is directed to inorganic oxide aerogels and the method of preparing such inorganic oxide aerogels which are characterized by high surface areas and high pore volume. The preparation comprises dissolving the inorganic alkoxide or metal salt in a solvent optionally containing a catalytic amount of an acid or base and hydrolyzing to form a gelled or colloidal material which is further treated with a fluid at or above its critical temperature and pressure to extract the solvent which is then dried to remove surface water.