Aerogel compression theoretical analysis

Several authors have empirically shown that, in aerogels, a power law exists between the mechanical moduli and the bulk density. An exponent value can be determined from mercury porosimetry curves. The shrinkage of aerogels under mercury pressure follows a buckling mechanism which links the pore size to the exerted pressure. The present study relates the exponent to the pore volume distribution which can be described by a hierarchical model valid in a large range of pore size, so a physical meaning is given to the exponent.