Studying the structure of phosphoryl xerogels by transmission electron microscopy

Abstract

The aim of current research is to determine the structure of functionalized polysiloxane xerogels
using TEM. The xerogels with phosphoryl groups were selected as objects. It was revealed that the
considered functionalised xerogels possess corpuscular structure. It signifies that they consist of primary
particles (globules) forming a spatial skeleton of xerogels. The shape of most primary particles is close to
spherical. These globules are united into aggregates, which, according to the AFM, form loose agglomerates.
The difference in size between the globules of samples 1 and 1H (before and after acidic treatment)
is insignificant. Consequently, the occurrence of porosity in the case of the acid treatment of the sample 1 is
caused, primarily, by hydrolysis of the ethoxy phosphorus atom complexing groups located on the surface of
the sample’s globules.
The data obtained can be used in the further studies of sol-gel processes in the field of surface
phenomena.