Silica synthesis by the sol-gel method and its use in the preparation of multifunctional biocomposites

Abstract

This study focuses on the optimization process of silica synthesis using the sol-gel method while applying a statistical design of experiments which was based on a multilevel mathematical model. The product obtained in the process of optimized synthesis, characterized by the best dispersive and morphological parameters, was used for the preparation of organic/inorganic composites. The organic precursor was Kraft lignin, a high-molecular natural polymer. Synthesis of silica/lignin biocomposites was carried out by three proposed methods. The physicochemical properties and dispersive-morphological properties of each product were determined using the following available methods: Scanning Electron Microscopy - SEM, Non-Invasive Back-Scattering - NIBS, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy - FT-IR, Thermogravimetric analysis - TG and others. The electrokinetic and thermal properties of the biocomposites sufficed to be applied for example, as a cheap and biodegradable polymer filler. Further areas of application of these composites were sought, especially in electrochemistry as the advanced electrode materials. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] © 2014 Versita Warsaw and Springer-Verlag Wien.