New transparent methylsilsesquioxane aerogels and xerogels with improved mechanical properties

Transparent organic-inorganic hybrid aerogels and xerogels are prepared by using a sol-gel synthesis from a single trifunctional precursor, methyltrimethoxysilane (see figure). Obtained aerogels show a reversible shrinkage-recovery response against uniaxial compression. Aerogel-like xerogels are successfully obtained by evaporation drying under ambient pressure because the gels recover from the temporal shrinkage caused by the capillary force of a drying solvent. Pore properties and nanotextures are well-preserved in the resultant xerogels.