Title: Effect of surface modification of SiO₂ nanoparticles on the mechanical properties of ambient pressure dried silica aerogels

Authors: In Keun Jung; Chang-Sun Park; Tae-Jung Ha; Hyung-Ho Park; Seungsu Baek

Addresses: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-749, Korea ' Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-749, Korea ' Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-749, Korea ' Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-749, Korea ' Agency for Defense Development Sunam dong 111 Yoseong, Daejeon 305-152, Korea

Abstract: In this study, we synthesised silica aerogel composites using SiO₂ nanoparticles and studied the effects of surface modification of silica nanoparticles on the properties of silica aerogel composites. The surface condition of the silica nanoparticles was controlled to be either hydrophobic or hydrophilic. Accordingly, the effect of the surface chemical state of silica nanoparticles on the network structure of hybridised silica aerogels and finally on their mechanical properties could be investigated. The microstructural and mechanical properties of silica aerogels were strongly dependent on the nature of the surface of hybridised silica nanoparticles.

Keywords: SiO2; silica nanoparticles; sol gel processes; composites; nanoparticles; surface modification reaction; nanotechnology; silica aerogels.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNT.2013.054220

International Journal of Nanotechnology, 2013 Vol.10 No.8/9, pp.811 - 818

Published online: 01 Aug 2013 *

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