Structure and Properties of Cork-Silica Xerogel Nanocomposites: Influence of the Cork Content.

Environmentally friendly nanocomposites were synthesized from a silica precursor and cork under mild conditions and dried at atmospheric pressure. Because of the covalent bonding between the components, these CorSil nanocomposites are homogeneous, light (apparent density in the range 360-750 kg m), machinable, with the Shore D hardness up to 67 and compressive strength up to 22.6 MPa.

Ambient Pressure Hybrid Silica Monoliths with Hexamethyldisilazane: From Vitreous Hydrophilic Xerogels to Superhydrophobic Aerogels.

Hybrid silica-based monoliths were synthesized at ambient pressure, using minimum amounts of the silylating agent hexamethyldisilazane (HMDZ). Depending on the synthesis approach, the materials ranged from dense and vitreous xerogels to transparent and superhydrophobic aerogels. Emphasis was given to understanding the role of the silylating agent, its content and incorporation process on the final morphology, and properties of the xerogels/aerogels.