Copper oxide and hydroxide based aerogels have been among the most difficult to obtain metal oxide aerogels, attributed in part to the tendency of copper alkoxides to form insoluble polymeric species that precipitate prior to gelation. The epoxide-assisted gelation of CuX2 salts (X = Cl, Br) has previously provided mixed results, ranging from no gelation to fragile monoliths, even under similar synthetic conditions. In addition, these gels typically contain high levels of residual halide, due to the stability of hydroxy-halides of the form Cu2(OH)3X. A method for the fabrication of robust monolithic Cu2(OH)3Br aerogels will be discussed. A typical aerogel is robust, nanocrystalline, and has a density of 120 mg/cm3, a specific surface area of 260 m2/g, and 97% hierarchical porosity. These aerogels can be thermally converted to nanoporous CuO and Cu0 monoliths.

Synthesis of monolithic Cu2(OH)3Br aerogels

253rd National Meeting (2017)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.