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Multiscale image analysis of microcellular solids: application to hybrid silica xerogels
Author(s) -
GOMMES CÉDRIC J.,
PIRARD JEANPAUL,
BLACHER SILVIA
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of microscopy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.569
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1365-2818
pISSN - 0022-2720
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2818.2007.01759.x
Subject(s) - materials science , transmission electron microscopy , sol gel , micrograph , scanning electron microscope , biological system , mineralogy , nanotechnology , chemistry , composite material , biology
Summary A general methodology is proposed to characterize microcellular solids, the structure of which consists of a three‐dimensional network of filamentary structures. The analysis is based on transmission electron microscopy observation of the filaments individually and of their spatial arrangement. The micrographs are analyzed with grey‐tone digital image analysis techniques, such as opening granulometry and correlation analysis. The methodology is applied to hybrid organic–inorganic low‐density silica solids synthesized by the sol–gel method with an organically modified co‐reactant. The quantitative impact of the co‐reactant on each structural level of the structure is assessed quantitatively.