Method for rapidly producing microporous and mesoporous materials

US5686031A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The Regents of the University of California · US

Inventors

• Paul R. Coronado · Livermore, US
• John F. Poco · Livermore, US
• Lawrence W. Hrubesh · Pleasanton, US
• Robert W. Hopper · Danville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 5, 1995
• Grant date: Nov 11, 1997
• Expiry date: Jan 5, 2015

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C04B38/0045
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

An improved, rapid process is provided for making microporous and mesoporous materials, including aerogels and pre-ceramics. A gel or gel precursor is confined in a sealed vessel to prevent structural expansion of the gel during the heating process. This confinement allows the gelation and drying processes to be greatly accelerated, and significantly reduces the time required to produce a dried aerogel compared to conventional methods. Drying may be performed either by subcritical drying with a pressurized fluid to expel the liquid from the gel pores or by supercritical drying. The rates of heating and decompression are significantly higher than for conventional methods.