Sol-gel processing of silatranes

Silatrane complexes are organosilicon compounds synthesized by direct react ion of SiO2 and trialkanolamines. Here, we explore their potential as ceram ic precursors via the hydrolytic sol-gel processing method. Viscoelastic an alysis is used to characterize the gelation behavior of silatranes based on triisopropanolamine. under different hydrolysis conditions. Pyrolyzed cera mic products are characterized in terms of surface area acid morphology and found to have a homogeneous microporous structure with high surface areas (313-417 m(2)/g). Faster hydrolysis rates lead to shorter gelation times, a nd smaller pore sizes in the derived ceramic. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd . All rights reserved.