Composite aerogel materials based on lignosulfonates and silica: Synthesis, structure, properties

Abstract The new highly porous aerogel materials based on sodium lignosulfonate and silicon dioxide were obtained using sol-gel technology and supercritical fluid processes. Aerogel samples have a developed micro-mesoporous structure and are characterized by a high specific surface area (290–450 m2g-1), an average mesopore size of 18–20 nm, micropores are represented mainly by supermicropores with a width of 1.2–2.8 nm. The total pore volume varies from 1.4 to 2.0 cm3g-1. The SEM analysis show that aerogel nanomaterials are highly structured spherical particles 35–55 nm in size with a cylindrical pore open at both ends. The obtained results are the basis for the subsequent optimization of the conditions for creating new composite materials (sorbents, catalyst carriers and sensor devices).