Synthesis of silica based aerogels by sol-gel method and investigation of structural properties

Due to their properties such as low coefficient of thermal conductivity, low density, porosity and high surface area, aerogels find usability in many different fields. In this study, silica based aerogel synthesis was carried out by using different silicon sources and the effect of various production parameters on the properties of materials was investigated. In addition to pure silica sources, industrial wastes with high silica content such as tailings slurry of gold mine treatment plant fly and bottom ashes of thermal power plant and sand was used without any pre-purification. The effects of different parameters on the synthesis such as pH, silicon / total material amount, reflux time, reflux temperature, aging time, aging temperature and drying type were investigated for the synthesis of aerogel from waste materials. Synthesis of high performance material with optimum parameters has been possible and usage of the waste has contributed to both the environment and the production economics. Characterization analyzes were performed to compare the synthesized samples from the pure silica and waste. By using the samples which synthesized with optimum parameters, plasters production for thermal insulation was carried out and thermal insulation coefficents were examined comparatively.