Surface characterization by nitrogen adsorption of silica aerogels synthesized from various Si(OR)4 and R″Si(OR′)3 precursors

We report the surface characterization by nitrogen adsorption–desorption technique of organically surface-modified silica aerogels. These solids were prepared through a sol–gel process from various combinations of silicon precursors and co-precursors with the aim of obtaining identically modified materials. The silicon precursors are based on four identical hydrolysable alkoxy groups (methoxy or ethoxy) whereas one of the alkoxy groups in the co-precursors is substituted by a non-hydrolysable alkyl group (methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-butyl, n-octyl, vinyl or phenyl). Obtained alcogels were dried under carbon dioxide supercritical conditions and their specific surface area, pore volume, mesoporosity and pore size distribution were investigated. Mesoporous materials exhibiting high specific surface areas and total pore volumes were obtained, revealing a decreasing porosity along with the use of co-precursors having larger side chains.