Characterization of Pure and Composite Resorcinol Formaldehyde Aerogels Doped with Copper

Abstract

A series of resorcinol formaldehyde aerogels (RF aerogels) composite with nanoparticles of copper has been prepared by the sol-gel method. Four samples of pure RF aerogels were prepared at different concentrations of NaOH as a catalyst (0.015, 0.017, 0.022 and 0.024 wt. %) and four samples of composite RF aerogels doped with Cu were prepared at different concentration of Cu (7.8×10-5, 1.56×10-4, 2.34×10-4, and 3.11×10-4 wt. %; NaOH concentration = 0.015 wt. %). UV-visible spectrum of Cu colloidal showes an absorbance peak at 608 nm, while UV-visible spectra of pure and composite RF aerogels show a steep decrease of absorption after 500 nm making RF aerogel color reddish brown. Results of FTIR spectra of pure and composite RF aerogels show the existence of six absorption bands ensuring the formation of RF aerogels. FTIR results ensured also that Cu particles do not affect the aerogel network. SEM images of pure and composite RF aerogels show that the textural arrangement of RF aerogels can be described as densely packed small nodules.The particle size analyzer ensured that the average particle size for Cu-RF aerogel composite increases with increasing the copper content.