Effect of oxalic acid as a catalyst and dry control chemical additive (DCCA) for hydrophilic aerogel base sodium silicate by ambient pressure drying

Ultra-light pours hydrophilic silica were prepared by sol gel neutralization chemical method under the ambient temperature under the effect different molar ratio of oxalic acid (1, 2, and 3), to study its effect on the structure of silica aerogel based on water glass (Na2SiO3. 5H2O) used as the precursors. The gel was washed with deionized distilled water four times for 24 hours. The pH of the gel has a constant value of about 8. Time gelation occurs during (10-25) minutes depending on the acidic molar ratio. The diagnostic analysis is taken by Fourier transition infrared (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The material products have a lightweight with low density (0.35 – 0.27) gm/cm 3, It was floating in the water by its low weight despite its hydrophilic characteristic property. All the diagnostic results matching conformity to most published research results which will also be explained in the present study