2Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Chemistry, MUĞLA
Abstract
In this study, the experimental results of the surface area, morphology, and density of silica aerogels obtained at different preparation conditions are reported. The aerogels have been produced by sol-gel process followed
by ambient pressure drying. Rice hull ash silicate solution was used as an inexpensive precursor. The type of acids and gelation pH has strongly affected the structural properties of the final products. The silica aerogels
have a well-developed nanoporous structure and a high specific surface area. The densities, pore sizes and specific surface areas of the silica aerogels were in the range of 0.273-0.849 g cm-3, 3.24-10.22 nm, and 238-
726 m2g-1, respectively.
