Strong Akaganeite Aerogel Monoliths Using Epoxides: Synthesis and Characterization

Abstract

The synthesis of iron(III) oxide aerogel monoliths was performed by adding any one of several different 1,2- and 1,3-epoxides to ethanolic Fe(III) salt solutions at room temperature. While all of the epoxides examined resulted in gel formation, robust low-density (∼30−40 kg/m 3; 99% porous), high-surface-area (∼250−300 m 2 /g), aerogel monoliths were prepared by the addition of 1,3-epoxide derivatives to solutions of FeCl 3 ·6H 2 O, followed by drying with supercritical CO 2 . Both types of iron(III) oxide aerogels (those made with 1,2- and 1,3-epoxides respectively) were characterized using elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, acoustic measurements, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and N 2 adsorption desorption analysis. Elemental analyses and powder X-ray diffraction indicated that the strong aerogel monoliths made with the 1,3-epoxides are made up predominately of polycrystalline β-FeOOH, akaganeite, and those made with the 1,2-epoxides are amorphous. To our knowledge, this is first known report of synthesis and characterization of akaganeite aerogel materials. Transmission electron microscopy analysis indicates that aerogels derived using 1,3-epoxides have a microstructure made up of a highly reticulated network of fibers with diameters from ∼5 to 35 nm and lengths several times that, whereas those resulting from the use of 1,2-epoxides consist of interconnected spherical particles, whose diameters are 5−15 nm. The difference in microstructure results in each type of aerogel displaying very distinct physical and mechanical properties. In particular, the stiffness of the β-FeOOH aerogels is remarkable for a transition metal oxide aerogel. Monolithic cylinders of β-FeOOH aerogel can be sintered at 515 °C, transforming to α-Fe 2 O 3 without shattering.