Characterisation of silica low-density xerogels in presence of additives by image analysis and nitrogen adsorption-desorption

Micro- and mesopore structure modifications in silica low-density xerogels induced by additives in TEOS-based alcogels precursors are discussed on the basis of image analysis of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrographs and nitrogen adsorption-desorption experiments. To perform image analysis, novel image processing has been developed on the basis of classical signal treatment and mathematical morphology theory. The obtained results have been correlated with classical and fractal interpretation of nitrogen adsorption-desorption measurements.