Structural Features of Silica Coating Obtained from Sol Cooled to the Temperature of Liquid Nitrogen

Abstract

A new approach to controlling the structure of silica films formed by the sol–gel method is proposed. The models of formation of the silica coatings, obtained from the sol, cooled to the liquid nitrogen temperature, have been developed. It was found that as a result of this process, one can obtain aggregates consisting of spindle-shaped nanoparticles with sizes of the order of tens of nanometers, formed during the preparation of sol. The proposed model predicts aggregate sizes that depend on the synthesis conditions. The results obtained can be useful for the preparation of films with controlled degree of nanocrystallite’s agglomeration. © 2017, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals.