
Open access
Date
2014-05Type
- Journal Article
Citations
Cited 31 times in
Web of Science
Cited null times in
Scopus
ETH Bibliography
yes
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Abstract
Herein we present the synthesis of anatase–silica aerogels based on the controlled gelation of preformed nanoparticle mixtures. The monolithic aerogels with macroscopic dimensions show large specific surface areas, and high and uniform porosities. The major advantage of such a particle-based approach is the great flexibility in pre-defining the compositional and structural features of the final aerogels before the gelation process by fine-tuning the properties of the titania and silica building blocks (e.g., size, composition and crystallinity) and their relative ratio in the dispersion. Specific surface functionalization enables control over the interaction between the nanoparticles and thus over their distribution in the aerogel. Positively charged titania nanoparticles are co-assembled with negatively charged Stoeber particles, resulting in a binary aerogel with a crystalline anatase and amorphous silica framework directly after supercritical drying without any calcination step. Titania–silica aerogels combine the photocatalytic activity of the anatase nanoparticles with the extensive silica chemistry available for silica surface functionalization. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000077154Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
Journal of Sol-Gel Science and TechnologyVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
SpringerSubject
Nanoparticles; Sol-gel chemistry; Aerogels; Silica; Titania; Self-assemblyOrganisational unit
03763 - Niederberger, Markus / Niederberger, Markus
Notes
It was possible to publish this article open access thanks to a Swiss National Licence with the publisher.More
Show all metadata
Citations
Cited 31 times in
Web of Science
Cited null times in
Scopus
ETH Bibliography
yes
Altmetrics