How to tailor the porous structure of alumina and aluminosilicate gels and glasses

Optically clear monolithic (OCM) gels of mesoporous aluminosilicates (average pore diameter 3.6 nm) and alumina (6 nm) have been prepared by slow hydrolysis-polycondensation of alkoxides and converted into OCM mesoporous glasses by heating. In order to change the properties, different ways of modifying the pore size and structure are proposed. We show that addition of boron oxide reduces the average pore diameter. A higher effect can be obtained by addition of a surfactant. In this case the mesoporous matrix becomes microporous (d < 2 nm). Another way of modifying the pore structure consists of introducing nanoprecipitates inside the porosity by an impregnation process. Modifications of the porous structure are different in alumina and aluminosilicates.