Aesthetically Enhanced Silica Aerogel Via Incorporation of Laser Etching and Dyes

Summary

This protocol describes a method for etching text, patterns, and images onto the surface of silica aerogel monoliths in native and dyed form and assembling the aerogels into mosaic designs.

Abstract

A procedure for aesthetically enhancing silica aerogel monoliths by laser etching and incorporation of dyes is described in this manuscript. Using a rapid supercritical extraction method, large silica aerogel monolith (10 cm x 11 cm x 1.5 cm) can be fabricated in about 10 h. Dyes incorporated into the precursor mixture result in yellow-, pink- and orange-tinged aerogels. Text, patterns, and images can be etched onto the surface (or surfaces) of the aerogel monolith without damaging the bulk structure. The laser engraver can be used to cut shapes from the aerogel and form colorful mosaics.

Introduction

Silica aerogel is a nanoporous, high surface area, acoustically insulating material with low thermal conductivity that can be used in a range of applications from collecting space dust to building insulation material^1,2. When manufactured in monolithic form, silica aerogels are translucent and can be used to make highly insulating windows^3,4,5.

Recently, we have demonstrated that it is possible to alter the appearance of a silica aerogel by etching onto or cutting through the surface using ....

Protocol

Safety glasses or goggles should be worn when preparing the aerogel precursor solutions, working with the hot press, and using the laser engraving system. Laboratory gloves should be worn when cleaning and preparing the mold, preparing the chemical reagent solution, pouring the solution into the mold in the hot press and handling the aerogel. Read Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all chemicals, including solvents, prior to working with them.Tetramethyl orthosilicate (TMOS), methanol and concentrated ammonia, and solutions co.......

Discussion

This protocol demonstrates how laser etching and the inclusion of dyes can be employed to prepare aesthetically pleasing aerogel materials.

Making large (10 cm x 11 cm x 1.5 cm) aerogel monoliths requires proper mold preparation through sanding, cleaning, and grease application to prevent the aerogel from sticking to the mold and major cracks from forming. The parts of the mold in direct contact with the precursor solution/soon to be formed aerogel are the most critical. Reducing the surface r.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
2000 grit sandpaper	Various
50W Laser Engraver	Epilog Laser		Any laser cutter is suitable
Acetone	Fisher Scientific www.fishersci.com	A18-20	Certified ACS Reagent Grade
Ammonium Hydroxide (aqueous ammonia)	Fisher Scientific www.fishersci.com	A669S212	Certified ACS Plus, about 14.8N, 28.0-20.0 w/w%
Beakers	Purchased from Fisher Scientific		Any glass beaker is suitable.
Deionized Water	On tap in house
Digital balance	OHaus Explorer Pro		Any digital balance is suitable.
Disposable cleaning wipes	Fisher Scientific www.fishersci.com	06-666	KimWipe
Drawing Software	CorelDraw Graphics Suite		CorelDraw
Flexible Graphite Sheet	Phelps Industrial Products	7500.062.3	1/16" thick
Fluorescein	Sigma Aldrich www.sigmaaldrich.com	F2456	Dye content ~95%
Foam paint brush	Various		1-2 cm size
High Vacuum Grease	Dow Corning
Hydraulic Hot Press	Tetrahedron www.tetrahedronassociates.com	MTP-14	Any hot press with temperature and force control will work. Needs maximum temperature of ~550 F and maximum force of 24 tons.
Laser Engraver	Epilogue Laser	Helix - 24	50 W
Methanol (MeOH)	Fisher Scientific www.fishersci.com	A412-20	Certified ACS Reagent Grade, ≥99.8%
Mold	Fabricated in House		Fabricate from cold-rolled steel or stainless steel.
Paraffin Film	Fisher Scientific www.fishersci.com	S37441	Parafilm M Laboratory Film
Rhodamine-6G Rhodamine-6g FlouresceinRhodamine-6g	Sigma Aldrich www.sigmaaldrich.com	20,132-4	Dye content ~95%
Rhodamine-B Rhodamine-6g FlouresceinRhodamine-6g	Sigma Aldrich www.sigmaaldrich.com	R-953	Dye content ~80%
Soap to clean mold	Various
Stainless Steel Foil	Various		.0005" thick, 304 Stainless Steel
Tetramethylorthosilicate (TMOS)	Sigma Aldrich www.sigmaaldrich.com	218472-500G	98% purity, CAS 681-84-5
Ultrasonic Cleaner	FisherScientific FS6	153356	Any sonicator is suitable.
Vacuum Exhaust system	Purex	800i	Any exhaust system is suitable.
Variable micropipettor, 100-1000 µL	Manufactured by Eppendorf, purchased from Fisher Scientific www.fishersci.com	S304665	Any 100-1000 µL pipettor is suitable.