Conversion of Alkoxide Solutions to Oxides: Evaporation of Products

ABSTRACTThe evaporation of organic by-products released during drying of 1-mm thick silicon tetramethoxide gels was analyzed using gas chromatography. The evaporation kinetics of methanol depended on the drying rate achieved by flowing dry air over the gel. For drying at flow rates less than 50 cm 3/min, exponential kinetics were observed initially with a long time constant (about 100- to 400-min). For drying rates greater than 70 cm3/min, diffusional (t−1/2) kinetics were observed initially. Cracking of the gel during drying was used to indicate the degree of stress. At low drying rates, minor cracking was observed near the edges of the gel. At high flow rates, extensive cracking was observed in samples that exhibited early t−1/2 kinetics. Monitoring the kinetics of drying is essential to optimizing the drying conditions to minimize stress and cracking in gels.