Hostname: page-component-5c6d5d7d68-pkt8n Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-08-16T14:09:59.534Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Synthesis of Porous Ceramics Through Directional Solidification and Freeze-Drying

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

Predrag Kisa
Affiliation:
Materials Science and Engineering Department, 848 Benedum Hall, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA 15213, USA
Patrick Fisher
Affiliation:
Materials Science and Engineering Department, 848 Benedum Hall, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA 15213, USA
Al Olszewski
Affiliation:
Materials Science and Engineering Department, 848 Benedum Hall, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA 15213, USA
Ian Nettleship
Affiliation:
Materials Science and Engineering Department, 848 Benedum Hall, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA 15213, USA
Nicholas G. Eror
Affiliation:
Materials Science and Engineering Department, 848 Benedum Hall, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA 15213, USA
Get access

Abstract

This study investigated the microstructural characteristics of directionally solidified freeze-dried silica sols. Porous structures were formed by depositing silica sol on silicon (100) single crystals. The deposited sols were unidirectionaly solidified by placing the silicon substrate on a copper block immersed in liquid nitrogen and then subsequently freeze-dried. Freeze drying removal of ice crystals created three-dimensional pore channels ranging from 3 to10 micrometers in diameter aggregated in grain like colonies 50–100 micrometers in diameter. Pore size, spacing, colony size and microstructure were determined using optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) while the structure of the amorphous SiO2 was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The microstructure results are compared and contrasted with silica aerogel obtained through conventional processing using supercritical CO2.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2004

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1. Luyet, B.J., Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B vol. 147, No. 929, 434 (1957)Google Scholar
2. Fukusawa, T., Deng, Z.Y., Ando, M., Ohji, T. and Goto, Y., Journal of Material science 36, 2523 (2001)Google Scholar
3. Statham, M.J., Hammett, F., Harris, B., Cooke, R.G., Jordan, R.M. and Roche, A., Journal of Sol-gel Science and Technology 13, 171 (1998)Google Scholar
4. Yokota, T., Takahata, Y., Katsuyama, T. and Matsuda, Y., Catalysis Today 69, 11 (2001)Google Scholar
5. Amato, G. and Brunetto, N., Materials Letters 26, 295 (1996)Google Scholar
6. Hyun, S.H., Kim, T.Y., Kim, G.S. and Park, H.H., Journal of Material Science Letters 19, 1863 (2000)Google Scholar
7. Ponthieu, E., Payen, E., Pajonk, G.M. and Grimbolt, J., Journal of sol gel Science and technology 8, 201 (1997)Google Scholar
8. Hunt, J.D. and Jackson, K.A., Transaction of metalurgical societu of AIME 236, 843 (1966)Google Scholar
9. Langer, J.S; Reviews of Modern Physics 52, 1 (1980)Google Scholar
10. Lipp, G., Korber, Ch., Rau, G., Journal of Crystal Growth 99, 206 (1990)Google Scholar
11. Ryan, B.F and Macklin, W.C, Journal of Crystal Growth, 1968 Google Scholar