Organic low molecular weight aerogel formed in supercritical fluids

Abstract

Aerogels of 2,3-didecyloxyanthracene (DDOA) are prepared from supercritical fluids in two different ways. In the first, the gel is formed by mixing DDOA and ethanol, and dried by flushing with supercritical CO2. This process produces a white, light and friable aerogel (density of 6×10−3 g cm−3), constituted of fibers with diameters ranging from 100 to 200 nm. In the second, DDOA is solubilized in supercritical CO2 to give a gel which is dried under the same experimental conditions. The resulting very low density aerogel (2×10−3 g cm−3), has a specific surface equal to 10 m2 g−1, and constitutes a network of long fibers with diameters varying from 100 to 200 nm.