Monolithic copper oxide aerogel via dispersed inorganic sol-gel method

To avoid the use of rare copper alkoxides, copper oxide aerogels were prepared using copper chloride, polyacrylic acid and propylene oxide via the dispersed inorganic sol-gel method, a supercritical fluid drying process and a 500 degrees C thermal treatment. The morphology and composition of the aerogel without thermal treatment (copper-based aerogel) and copper oxide aerogel were both characterized and analyzed. Based on studies of the gelation mechanism, it was demonstrated that polyacrylic acid guides the sol formation including providing a steric effect. Analysis of the thermal treatment process shows that the copper-based aerogel has four primary thermal reactions and the major composition of samples treated above 420 degrees C is monoclinic copper oxide. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.