Aerogel applications silica glass

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Alkoxides are described in some literature as expensive educts prohibiting mass production. A solution to this problem is the use of cheaper raw materials such as water glass or sodium silicate (Na2 i03) for sihca [50], which is now used as general precursor for commercial aerogel synthesis for technical applications. A silica hydrogel is generated by acidification of the aqueous sodium silicate solution with e.g. HCl or H2SO4 [51,52]. 

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