Investigation on gelation process and microstructure for copper-based aerogel prepared via sol–gel method

•Copper-based aerogel was prepared under different processing parameters.•The processing parameters have a great effect on the aerogel's network structure.•The viscosity was measured to monitor the growth process of the colloidal particles.•The gelation process is various due to the different processing parameters.

In the present study, copper-based aerogel was produced via a sol–gel process under different synthesis conditions. The processing parameters such as gelation temperature, pH values and apparent viscosity have been analyzed in detail. The viscosity of the system was measured to monitor the growth process of the colloidal particles. The gelation process appears to be various due to the different concentration of polyacrylic acid (PAA) and deionized water (H2O), which may affect the microstructure and specific surface area of the aerogel significantly. The reasons why these factors had such effect were analyzed. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) was employed to image the morphologies of aerogels and help in analyzing the different gelation process. The combined results have important implications for designing novel structure of porous materials.