Papers by Author: Nicolás de la Rosa-Fox

Abstract: Organic/inorganic hybrids silica aerogels were synthesized by the classical sol-gel method with application of high power ultrasounds to the liquid mixture. Precursors were tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), as inorganic phase, and polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS), as organic one. These hybrid organic-inorganic materials are known as ORMOSIL (ORganically MOdified SILicates). Monolithic aerogels were obtained by supercritical drying in ethanol. Failure tests by uniaxial compression shows an increase of the rupture modulus as well as a decrease of the Young’s modulus with the polymer content, tuning from a brittle solid to a rubbery-like one. These hybrid aerogels behave as elastomers showing a decrease in the relaxation viscoelastic modulus. Nanoindentation tests have been performed in these hybrid aerogels: load/unload cycles about 1.5 mN of maximum load have shown a decreasing value of the reduced modulus, as well as both plastic and elastic work with the organic content, while hardness remains almost constant. Elastic recovery parameter rised with the increasing organic content. Results from creep tests made with uniaxial compression configuration are discussed and compared with nanoindentation. Viscoelastic behavior of these hybrids materials can be described by a rheological model.

Abstract: The mechanical properties of black thin film on glass substrates and metallic, obtained from the synthesis of organic-inorganic silica hybrids via sol-gel are described. Hybrid silica-based coatings with tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), methyltrietoxysilane (MTES), polyurethane (PU) and commercial silica colloidal solution (Ludox HS30) as precursors, were used. The procedure is divided in the following three steps: 1) obtaining homogenous and stable solutions of different organic silica-polymer composition, 2) aggregation of the black pigment with the formulate FeMnOx, 3) Coating substrates by both dip-coating and aerograph airbrush, at room temperature. The films obtained were characterized by SEM, AFM and nano-indentation. The coatings of the Ludox-MTES-PU/FeMnOx system showed the better characteristics concerning the morphology and the adhesion to the glass and metallic copper substrates

Abstract: Hybrid silica-organic polymer aerogels based on tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) have been synthesized, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and methyltriethoxysilane (MTES) have been used as organic phases. Synthetic wollastonite powder was added as bioactive phase. The composites were prepared by dispersing wollastonite powder in the sol with the assistance of high power ultrasounds to control the gelling time. Wet composites were dried under supercritical conditions of the solvent. The mechanical characterization was performed by uniaxial compression and by nanoindentation. Young`s modulus from uniaxial compression increase from 5 MPa to 100 MPa for increasing MTES content and also rupture modulus was enhanced from 0.85 MPa to about 50 MPa, so the incorporation of cross linkers in this kind of aerogels, was proven to enhance the mechanical resistance. However the inclusion of wollastonite powders provokes a dropping of the Young’s modulus and hardness. All the composites showed bioactivity by the formation of an apatite layer when immersed in Simulated Body Fluid (SBF).

Abstract: Acoustic cavitation effects in sol-gel liquid processing permits to obtain nanostructured materials, with size-dependent properties. The so-called “hot spots” produce very high temperatures and pressures which act as nanoreactors. Ultrasounds force the dissolution and the reaction stars. The products (alcohol, water and silanol) help to continue the dissolution, being catalyst content, temperature bath and alkyl group length dependent. Popular choices used in the preparation of silica-based gels are tetramethoxysilane (TMOS), Si(OCH3)4, and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), Si(OC2H5)4. The resultant “sonogels” are denser gels with finer and homogeneous porosity than those of classic ones. They have a high surface/volume ratio and are built by small particles (1 nm radius) and a high cross-linked network with low –OH surface coverage radicals. In this way a cluster model is presented based on randomly-packed spheres in several hierarchical levels that represent the real sonoaerogel. Organic modified silicates (ORMOSIL) were obtained by supercritical drying in ethanol of the corresponding alcogel producing a hybrid organic/inorganic aerogel. The new material takes the advantages of the organic polymers as flexibility, low density, toughness and formability whereas the inorganic part contributes with surface hardness, modulus strength, transparency and high refractive index. The sonocatalytic method has proven to be adequate to prepare silica matrices for fine and uniform dispersion of CdS and PbS quantum dots (QDs), which show exciton quantum confinement. We present results of characterization of these materials, such as nitrogen physisorption, small angle X-ray/neutrons scattering, electron microscopy, uniaxial compression and nanoindentation. Finally these materials find application as biomaterials for tissue engineering and for CO2 sequestration by means the carbonation reaction.