Preparation of novel organic-inorganic hybrid aerogels exhibiting reversible deformations against compressions

Abstract

Novel transparent organic-inorganic hybrid aerogels have been prepared by hydrolysis and condensation reactions of methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) under the presence of urea and a surfactant. The obtained gels consist of pores typically with a few tens nanometers and thin fibrous siloxane networks, exhibiting an intact "spring-back" against a uniaxial compression or isotropic shrinkage due to solvent evaporation. This unusual mechanical behavior is attributed to the well-defined three-dimensional network structure and the low surface silanol density, which also allow ambient pressure drying.