Hydrophobic GeO<sub>2</sub> Aerogels by an Epoxide-Induced Process

This article reports a new straightforward method for producing hydrophobic GeO<sub>2</sub> aerogels in a one-pot synthesis. For the first time, the epoxide-induced sol–gel process was combined with the co-precursor method to create hydrophobic aerogels. The application of a complex of a...

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Main Authors: Olga M. Gajtko, Svetlana V. Golodukhina, Sergey Yu. Kottsov, Elena N. Subcheva, Vladimir V. Volkov, Gennady P. Kopitsa, Alexandra G. Son, Varvara O. Veselova
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Gels
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/4/225
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author Olga M. Gajtko
Svetlana V. Golodukhina
Sergey Yu. Kottsov
Elena N. Subcheva
Vladimir V. Volkov
Gennady P. Kopitsa
Alexandra G. Son
Varvara O. Veselova
author_facet Olga M. Gajtko
Svetlana V. Golodukhina
Sergey Yu. Kottsov
Elena N. Subcheva
Vladimir V. Volkov
Gennady P. Kopitsa
Alexandra G. Son
Varvara O. Veselova
author_sort Olga M. Gajtko
collection DOAJ
description This article reports a new straightforward method for producing hydrophobic GeO<sub>2</sub> aerogels in a one-pot synthesis. For the first time, the epoxide-induced sol–gel process was combined with the co-precursor method to create hydrophobic aerogels. The application of a complex of analytical methods like SEM, TEM, low-temperature nitrogen adsorption–desorption, SAXS and contact angle measurements enabled us to determine that varying the GeCl<sub>4</sub>:(C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub>)<sub>2</sub>GeCl<sub>2</sub> ratio allows for targeted adjustments in the morphology, porous structure, and surface properties of aerogels. As the proportion of (C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub>)<sub>2</sub>GeCl<sub>2</sub> grows, the surface area increases from 45 to 123 m<sup>2</sup>∙g<sup>−1</sup> and the contact angle changes from 22.1 to 140.1°. Luminescent properties of the hydrophobic GeO<sub>2</sub> aerogels are reported for the first time, and it is established that the ratio of green and blue bands in the luminescence spectra when excited under 390 and 235 nm varies depending on the GeCl<sub>4</sub>:(C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub>)<sub>2</sub>GeCl<sub>2</sub> ratio used for the aerogel preparation.
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spelling doaj-art-b792964139c6444fb79f7b7f0b44ecdd2025-08-20T02:28:28ZengMDPI AGGels2310-28612025-03-0111422510.3390/gels11040225Hydrophobic GeO<sub>2</sub> Aerogels by an Epoxide-Induced ProcessOlga M. Gajtko0Svetlana V. Golodukhina1Sergey Yu. Kottsov2Elena N. Subcheva3Vladimir V. Volkov4Gennady P. Kopitsa5Alexandra G. Son6Varvara O. Veselova7N.S. Kurnakov Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry RAS, Leninskii Prosp., 31, Moscow 119991, RussiaN.S. Kurnakov Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry RAS, Leninskii Prosp., 31, Moscow 119991, RussiaN.S. Kurnakov Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry RAS, Leninskii Prosp., 31, Moscow 119991, RussiaScientific Center for Genetics and Life Sciences, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Olympic Ave 1, Sochi 354340, RussiaKurchatov Complex of Crystallography and Photonics of NRC «Kurchatov Institute», Leninskii Prosp., 31, Moscow 119333, RussiaKonstantinov Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute of NRC «Kurchatov Institute», Orlova Roshcha 1, Gatchina 188300, RussiaN.S. Kurnakov Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry RAS, Leninskii Prosp., 31, Moscow 119991, RussiaN.S. Kurnakov Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry RAS, Leninskii Prosp., 31, Moscow 119991, RussiaThis article reports a new straightforward method for producing hydrophobic GeO<sub>2</sub> aerogels in a one-pot synthesis. For the first time, the epoxide-induced sol–gel process was combined with the co-precursor method to create hydrophobic aerogels. The application of a complex of analytical methods like SEM, TEM, low-temperature nitrogen adsorption–desorption, SAXS and contact angle measurements enabled us to determine that varying the GeCl<sub>4</sub>:(C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub>)<sub>2</sub>GeCl<sub>2</sub> ratio allows for targeted adjustments in the morphology, porous structure, and surface properties of aerogels. As the proportion of (C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub>)<sub>2</sub>GeCl<sub>2</sub> grows, the surface area increases from 45 to 123 m<sup>2</sup>∙g<sup>−1</sup> and the contact angle changes from 22.1 to 140.1°. Luminescent properties of the hydrophobic GeO<sub>2</sub> aerogels are reported for the first time, and it is established that the ratio of green and blue bands in the luminescence spectra when excited under 390 and 235 nm varies depending on the GeCl<sub>4</sub>:(C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub>)<sub>2</sub>GeCl<sub>2</sub> ratio used for the aerogel preparation.https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/4/225epoxide-assisted sol–gel processgelaerogelcontact anglehydrophobicityluminescence
spellingShingle Olga M. Gajtko
Svetlana V. Golodukhina
Sergey Yu. Kottsov
Elena N. Subcheva
Vladimir V. Volkov
Gennady P. Kopitsa
Alexandra G. Son
Varvara O. Veselova
Hydrophobic GeO<sub>2</sub> Aerogels by an Epoxide-Induced Process
Gels
epoxide-assisted sol–gel process
gel
aerogel
contact angle
hydrophobicity
luminescence
title Hydrophobic GeO<sub>2</sub> Aerogels by an Epoxide-Induced Process
title_full Hydrophobic GeO<sub>2</sub> Aerogels by an Epoxide-Induced Process
title_fullStr Hydrophobic GeO<sub>2</sub> Aerogels by an Epoxide-Induced Process
title_full_unstemmed Hydrophobic GeO<sub>2</sub> Aerogels by an Epoxide-Induced Process
title_short Hydrophobic GeO<sub>2</sub> Aerogels by an Epoxide-Induced Process
title_sort hydrophobic geo sub 2 sub aerogels by an epoxide induced process
topic epoxide-assisted sol–gel process
gel
aerogel
contact angle
hydrophobicity
luminescence
url https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/4/225
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