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In This Article

  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Protocol
  • Representative Results
  • Discussion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Materials
  • References
  • Reprints and Permissions

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 material1,2. When manufactured in monolithic form, silica aerogels are translucent and can be used to make highly insulating windows3,4,5.

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.......

Representative Results

This protocol can be employed to prepare a wide variety of aesthetically pleasing aerogel monoliths for applications including, but not limited to, art and sustainable building design. Inclusion in the precursor mixture of the small amounts of dye employed here is only observed to impact the color of the resulting aerogel monolith; changes in other optical or structural properties are not observed.

Figure 8<.......

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.......

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the Union College Faculty Research Fund, Student Research Grant program, and the summer undergraduate research program for financial support of the project. The authors would also like to acknowledge Joana Santos for the design of the three-piece mold, Chris Avanessian for SEM imaging, Ronald Tocci for etching onto the curved aerogel surface, and Dr. Ioannis Michaloudis for inspiration and initial work on the etching project as well as for providing the Kouros image and cylindrical aerogel.

....

Materials

NameCompanyCatalog NumberComments
2000 grit sandpaperVarious
50W Laser EngraverEpilog LaserAny laser cutter is suitable
AcetoneFisher Scientific www.fishersci.comA18-20Certified ACS Reagent Grade 
Ammonium Hydroxide (aqueous ammonia)Fisher Scientific www.fishersci.comA669S212Certified ACS Plus, about 14.8N, 28.0-20.0 w/w%
BeakersPurchased from Fisher ScientificAny glass beaker is suitable.
Deionized WaterOn tap in house
Digital balanceOHaus Explorer ProAny digital balance is suitable.
Disposable cleaning wipesFisher Scientific www.fishersci.com06-666KimWipe
Drawing SoftwareCorelDraw Graphics SuiteCorelDraw
Flexible Graphite SheetPhelps Industrial Products7500.062.31/16" thick
FluoresceinSigma Aldrich www.sigmaaldrich.comF2456Dye content ~95%
Foam paint brush Various 1-2 cm size
High Vacuum GreaseDow Corning
Hydraulic Hot PressTetrahedron www.tetrahedronassociates.comMTP-14Any hot press with temperature and force control will work. Needs maximum temperature of ~550 F and maximum force of 24 tons.
Laser EngraverEpilogue LaserHelix - 2450 W
Methanol (MeOH)Fisher Scientific www.fishersci.comA412-20Certified ACS Reagent Grade, ≥99.8%
MoldFabricated in HouseFabricate from cold-rolled steel or stainless steel.
Paraffin FilmFisher Scientific www.fishersci.comS37441Parafilm M Laboratory Film
Rhodamine-6G
Rhodamine-6g
FlouresceinRhodamine-6g
Sigma Aldrich www.sigmaaldrich.com20,132-4Dye content ~95%
Rhodamine-B
Rhodamine-6g
FlouresceinRhodamine-6g
Sigma Aldrich www.sigmaaldrich.comR-953Dye content ~80%
Soap to clean moldVarious
Stainless Steel FoilVarious.0005" thick, 304 Stainless Steel
Tetramethylorthosilicate (TMOS)Sigma Aldrich www.sigmaaldrich.com218472-500G98% purity, CAS 681-84-5
Ultrasonic CleanerFisherScientific FS6153356Any sonicator is suitable.
Vacuum Exhaust systemPurex800iAny exhaust system is suitable.
Variable micropipettor, 100-1000 µLManufactured by Eppendorf, purchased from Fisher Scientific www.fishersci.comS304665Any 100-1000 µL pipettor is suitable.

References

  1. Aegerter, M. A., Leventis, N., Koebel, M. M. . Aerogels Handbook. , (2011).
  2. Pierre, A. C., Pajonk, G. M. Chemistry of aerogels and their applications. Chemical Reviews. 102 (11), 4243-4266 (2002).
  3. Zinzi, M., et al.

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