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Author(s): , , , , , ,

Keywords: , , , , , , ,

Abstract: Highly porous aerogels can be employed in a variety of applications; notably for this study, oil/water separation and sound absorption. Because of their poor mechanical functions, aerogels are limited within their array of applications. In this study, researchers set out to improve the mechanical performance of these aerogels. Researchers used thiol-ene chemistry and various alkoxy groups to prepare various novel bridged silsesquioxane (BSQ) precursors. Due to the contrasting hydrolyzing rates of methoxy and ethoxy groups, the morphology and performance of these aerogels can be tailored to meet the user’s specific needs, while still maintaining the aerogels density. The alterations led to the synthesis of robust superhydrophobic BSQ aerogels. The robustness of these BSQ aerogels is attributable to the flexible thioether bridge.

Reference: ACS Applied Materials Interfaces, 7:3 (2015) 2016–2024

DOI: 10.1021/am5077765