Effects of several additives on silica aerogel properties and adsorption performance for n-hexane, carbon tetrachloride and toluene

In this work, hydrophobic and monolithic silica aerogels were prepared at ambient pressure by using beta-cyclodextrin, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and ethylene glycol as additive. The aerogels were characterized and used for adsorption of n-hexane, carbon tetrachloride and toluene. These additives have different effects on the morphology and specific surface area of silica aerogels. Compared to cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and ethylene glycol, introducing beta-cyclodextrin into silica aerogel could increase adsorption capacity for of n-hexane, carbon tetrachloride and toluene more effectively.

Automated summary

In this study, hydrophobic and monolithic silica aerogels were prepared using beta-cyclodextrin, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, and ethylene glycol as additives. The effects of these additives on the morphology and specific surface area of silica aerogels were investigated. It was found that introducing beta-cyclodextrin into the silica aerogel resulted in a more effective increase in adsorption capacity for n-hexane, carbon tetrachloride, and toluene compared to cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and ethylene glycol.