Synthesis of sodium silicate-based silica aerogels with graphene oxide by ambient pressure drying

Abstract Here we study how graphene oxide affects silica aerogels and their physical mechanical properties by examining volume shrinkage, pore volume, surface area compressive strength of these composite aerogels. Composite were made through adding different amount (GO) to sodium silicate precursor using ambient pressure drying method. Additionally, the chemical composition was determined X-ray diffraction (XRD) Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. A rougher structure observed when GO loading increased characteristic peak in XRD disappeared due random distribution within matrix. FTIR spectrum shows that relative intensity silanol groups on matrix have downward tendency with addition GO. The specific had maxima 0.01 wt% 578 m 2 /g. increased, from 0.0 0.2 wt%, modulus 0.02 MPa 0.22 MPa.