我們使用TEOS當我們溶膠的前趨物，共熔物（1choline chloride：2尿素）或乙二醇則當模板，在酸性條件下用溶-凝膠法在常壓下合成透明的二氧化矽乾膠。在適當的老化反應、常壓乾燥、煅燒程序後，我們可合成出即使在550oC移除有機物後，還不會發生破裂，而且保持透明性的二氧化矽塊材。所得之產物經過熱重損失和紅外線光譜、氮氣恆溫吸附、掃瞄式電子顯微鏡等分析。而煅燒過的塊材以紫外－可見光光譜測量穿透度。合成出來的透明多孔二氧化矽塊材，具有450~700 m2/g的表面積，有2~14 nm的孔隙分佈，和0.2~1.4 cm3/g的孔體積，而3.9 mm厚的二氧化矽塊材，在600 nm波長的穿透度有達80%。 Transparent silica xerogels were synthesized by the sol-gel process under atmospheric conditions, using tetraethoxysilane(TEOS) as the alkoxide precursor and eutectic (1Choline Chloride : 2Urea) or EG as a template, under acid conditions. With proper aging, atmospheric drying and calcination procedures, we had successfully synthesized silica monoliths that remain transparent and crack free after calcination at 550oC. The resulting gels were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The transmittance of calcined monoliths were analyzed using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. Nitrogen adsorption isotherms was used for surface area and pore volume determination. The synthesized transparent mesoporous silica monoliths exhibit BET surface areas of 450-700 m2/g, a BJH pore diameter of 2-14 nm, and a pore volume of 0.2-1.4 cm3/g. The transmittance of an 3.9 mm thick silica monoliths can be as high as 80% @600 nm.
