Phase separation during silica gel formation followed by time-resolved SAXS

Time-resolved small angle X-ray scattering data are collected during the formation of silica gels from the base catalyzed polymerization of tetraethoxysilane in ethanol with 3-(2-aminoethylamino)propyltrimethoxysilane and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane as additives. It is shown that a polymerization-induced spinodal demixing occurs during the gel formation.