Assessing the Effect of Utilizing Different Sol–Gel Precursors on the Structural Properties of ZIF‐8/Silica Aerogel Composites

ABSTRACT This study aimed to synthesize and characterize ZIF‐8/silica aerogel composites with different silica precursors. The sol–gel route and in situ method were employed to form the composites. They were characterized by FT‐IR, XRD, SEM‐EDX, N 2 physisorption, and TG/DSC analysis. FT‐IR analysis showed that the spectra of silica aerogels from different sources resembled each other. ZIF‐8 loading was observed by forming new peaks not found in pure aerogel structures. Besides, ZIF‐8 loading made the aerogels hydrophobic. The composites were amorphous due to the low loading of ZIF‐8 in the aerogel structure. The average particle size of the materials was 5–7 µm. It was expressed that ZIF‐8 loading made the structure stronger compared to pure aerogels regarding hardness values. The maximum specific surface area reached 546.7 m 2 /g with TEOS‐based silica aerogel. However, the maximum porosity was 65% for sodium silicate‐based aerogel. TG/DSC analysis revealed that TEOS‐based silica aerogel had the highest thermal stability, with an 84% residual amount at 1200°C. Besides, ZIF‐8 loading increased the thermal resistance of sodium silicate‐based silica aerogel. As a result of this study, multi‐functional MOF/aerogel structures were produced for applications such as catalysis and adsorption.