Flexible APD silica aerogels derived from Methyltriethoxysilane and Dimethyldiethoxysilane via surfactant-free sol–gel process

The MTES/DMDES hybrid silica aerogels were prepared without using any surfactant.A two-step acid/base catalyzed sol–gel process was applied to control the phase separation of MTES/DMDES co-precursor in polar solvent Ethanol.Some basic concepts and theories in organic polymerization, such as the average functionality and Carothers equation, were adopted to discuss the reactive mode of MTES/DMDES co-precursor.The MTES/DMDES hybrid silica aerogels endured ambient pressure drying process, and still displayed favourable mechanical property.