Microstructures and Physical Properties of Polyethylene/Silica Gels Prepared with Ultrasonic Irradiation

초록

In recent years, ultrasound has been used widely for the preparation of silica gels without using alcoholic solvent for homogenization of the mixtures. It was found that ultrasound acts as an effective starter for the reaction by fast mixing the system and enhance some chemical reactions, such as polymerization and decomposition. In this study, organic-inorganic nanocomposites were prepared by the reaction of TEOS (tetraethoxysilane). PEG (polyethyleneglycol), water and HCl with different experimental variables stimulated by ultrasonic irradiation. The effects of ultrasonic radiation on gelation and subsequent properties of composites were investigated. The physical properties, microstructure and structure of the specimens were analyzed by BET, SEM and FT-IR.