MICROSTRUCTURE OF AL2O3 XEROGELS AND AEROGELS FROM ALUMINUM-TRI-SEC-BUTOXIDE MODIFIED WITH ETHYLACETOACETATE

Microstrucutre of Al2O3 xerogels and aerogels prepared from aluminum-t ri-sec-butoxide (Al(O-seo-Bu)(3)) modified with ethylacetoacetate (EAc Ac) was investigated for controlling the microstructure of Al2O3. The specific surface area and the pore volume of heat-treated xerogels dec reased with an increase in the EAcAc/Al(O-sec-Bu)(3) molar ratio, wher eas the size of pores was not affected by the ratio. The specific surf ace area of aerogels decreased monotonously with an increase in the he at-treatment temperature up to 1000 degrees C and was larger than that of xerogels in the whole temperature range of heat treatment, while t hat of xerogels decreased with increasing temperature due to sintering and drastically decreased at 1000 degrees C.