Structure of low-density nanoporous dielectrics revealed by low-vacuum electron microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering

Kucheyev, SO; Toth, M; Baumann, TF; Hamza, AV; Ilavsky, J; Knowles, WR; Saw, CK; Thiel, BL; Tileli, V; Van Buuren, T; Wang, YM; Willey, TM

Structure of low-density nanoporous dielectrics revealed by low-vacuum electron microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering

Kucheyev, SO Toth, M

Baumann, TF Hamza, AV Ilavsky, J Knowles, WR Saw, CK Thiel, BL Tileli, V Van Buuren, T Wang, YM Willey, TM

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Langmuir, 2007, 23 (2), pp. 353 - 356
Issue Date:: 2007-01-16

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Kucheyev, SO	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Toth, M https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1564-4899	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Baumann, TF	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Hamza, AV	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Ilavsky, J	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Knowles, WR	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Saw, CK	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Thiel, BL	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Tileli, V	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Van Buuren, T	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Wang, YM	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Willey, TM	en_US
dc.date.issued	2007-01-16	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Langmuir, 2007, 23 (2), pp. 353 - 356	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	0743-7463	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/14633
dc.description.abstract	Aerogels (AGs) are ultralow-density nanoporous solids that have numerous potential applications. However, as most AGs are strong insulators with poor mechanical properties, direct studies of the complex nanoporous structure of AGs by methods such as atomic force and conventional scanning electron microscopy (SEM) have not proven feasible. Here, we use low-vacuum SEM to image directly the ligament and pore size and shape distributions of representative AGs over a wide range of length scales (∼100-105 nm). The structural information obtained is used for unambiguous, real-space interpretation of small-angle X-ray scattering curves for these complex nanoporous systems. Low-vacuum SEM permits imaging of both cross-sections and skin layers of AG monoliths. Images of skin layers reveal the presence of microcracks, which alter the properties of cast monolithic AGs. © 2007 American Chemical Society.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Langmuir	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1021/la0619729	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Chemical Physics	en_US
dc.title	Structure of low-density nanoporous dielectrics revealed by low-vacuum electron microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	2	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	23	en_US
utslib.for	0306 Physical Chemistry (incl. Structural)	en_US
utslib.for	0904 Chemical Engineering	en_US
dc.location.activity	WOS:000243338500003	en_US
dc.location.activity	WOS:000289149900108
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science/School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - IBMD - Initiative for Biomedical Devices
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - MTEE - Research Centre Materials and Technology for Energy Efficiency
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	2	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	23	en_US

Abstract:

Aerogels (AGs) are ultralow-density nanoporous solids that have numerous potential applications. However, as most AGs are strong insulators with poor mechanical properties, direct studies of the complex nanoporous structure of AGs by methods such as atomic force and conventional scanning electron microscopy (SEM) have not proven feasible. Here, we use low-vacuum SEM to image directly the ligament and pore size and shape distributions of representative AGs over a wide range of length scales (∼100-105 nm). The structural information obtained is used for unambiguous, real-space interpretation of small-angle X-ray scattering curves for these complex nanoporous systems. Low-vacuum SEM permits imaging of both cross-sections and skin layers of AG monoliths. Images of skin layers reveal the presence of microcracks, which alter the properties of cast monolithic AGs. © 2007 American Chemical Society.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/14633