Effect of processing parameters on the pore texture and properties of the mesoporous silica materials

The mesoporous silica materials consist of more than 90% air and less than 10% solid silica in the form of highly crosslinked network structure. They are unique porous materialshaving low density, large specific surface area, high porosity and low thermal conductivity. They are conventionallyprepared by sol-gel chemistry followed supercritical drying. In the present study, mesoporous silica materials were synthesized from TEOS(tetraethylorthosilicate) by sol-gelprocessing and drying at atmospheric pressure and the effect of processing parameters such as TEOS/EtOH molar ratio on their properties have been investigated