Dehydroxylation of sol-gel glasses and glass composites with the use of aerosils modified by phosphorus compounds

The dehydroxylating effect of aerosils modified by phosphorus oxides on the structure of xerogels and related vitreous materials is revealed. The optimum content of the phosphorus-containing aerosil in the xerogel matrix is determined. The dependence of the concentration of hydroxyl groups in these materials on the nature and content of the modified aerosils is determined using IR spectroscopy. The observed decrease in the concentration of hydroxyl groups during sintering of xerogels is explained by the condensation processes between hydroxyl groups at phosphorus and silicon atoms with the formation of POP and SiOP groups and the release of water molecules.