Raman Spectroscopy and Structural Characteristics of Copper-Ion-Doped Silica Sol, Gel, and Aerogel

Abstract

This work presents the synthesis of silica sol, gel, and aerogel.  To achieve a hydrophobic silica gel infused with copper chloride, a surface modification was performed on the sample. Furthermore, The present study focused on the examination of the evolutionary patterns of composition profiles in sol, gel, and aerogel materials. This investigation aimed to analyze the spectral properties of fluorescence, absorption, Raman spectroscopy, and FTIR spectrum. Additionally, the surface morphology, topography, and square of the surface roughness were evaluated using advanced imaging techniques such as scanning electron microscopy with a field-emission source (FE-SEM) and Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) images. The results indicate that there are notable distinctions in peak regions and distribution between the fluorescence and absorption spectra. This distinction is particularly evident in the Raman spectrum of sol, gel, and aerogel samples, where variations in peak regions and distribution are observed. Furthermore, the dominance of homogeneity and nano-structure, as well as the presence of surface roughness and increased surface area, are clearly discernible in the AFM topography.