Sol-gel process for providing a tailored gel microstructure
US5264197A · kind A · utility
25Cited by
8References
15Claims
0Family size
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Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 20, 1991 |
| Grant date | Nov 23, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 20, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC03C2203/26
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An improved sol-gel process for fabricating large, crack-free gel monoliths (e.g., of silica) is described in which a specially-tailored gel microstructure is provided by adjusting the relative concentrations of an alcohol diluent (e.g., ethanol) and/or one or more catalysts (e.g., HCl and HF). Controlled variations in the gel's average pore radius, bulk density, rupture modulus, and elastic modulus over a wide range can be tailored in this fashion. This enables the process to be optimized for the particular application involved.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.