EFFECT OF ETHANOL ON THE DENSITY AND MORPHOLOGY OF MONOLITHIC SIO2 GLASS PREPARED BY THE SOL-GEL METHOD

In order to understand the conditions for obtaining monolithic gels in the H//2O-C//2H//5OH-Si(OC//2H//5)//4 system, twelve compositions were studied for their oxide content and density. In these compositions, the C//2H//5OH mole fraction was varied from 0 to 0. 6 and two thermal treatments were made. The gels were dried under two sets of temperature schedules. The apparent density of the gel dried at 120 degree C varied from 1. 61 to 2. 01, whereas those dried at 50 degree C varied from 1. 50 to 1. 91 depending on the H//2O/Si(OC//2H//5)//4/C//2H//5OH mole ratio. This paper is concerned with the effect of ethanol on the gel morphology, oxide content and density.