Uniformly Structured Methyltrimethoxysilane-Based Silica Aerogels with Enhanced Mechanical Property by Surfactant-Free Fabrication

The uniformity, elasticity and hydrophobicity of methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS)-based silica aerogels, which were prepared by using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as the solvent, were investigated. The as-prepared silica aerogels were characterized by means of scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared, contact angle/interface system and electronic universal testing machine. The hydrophobicity of the MTMS-based silica aerogels could be adjusted by tuning the MTMS/DMSO molar ratios. The water contact angle of the MTMS-based silica aerogels could be as high as 160.2∘, suggesting its superhydrophobic property. It was found that all the MTMS-based silica aerogels had the typical three-dimensional porous structure. The failure strain of MTMS-based silica aerogels could be as high as 66.14%.