Effect of catalyst on melamine-formaldehyde organic aerogel

A series of melamine-formaldehyde(MF) organic aerogel templates were prepared with different categories and concentration of catalyst. Their molecular structure, thermal stability and pore structure were tested by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and nitrogen adsorption. It is indicated that the type and concentration of catalyst do not affect molecular structure and thermal stability of the MF organic aerogel template. The specific surface area and pore volume of the MF organic aerogel template using Na2CO3 as catalyst are higher than those using NaOH, NaHCO3 as catalyst. When the ratio of the concentration of melamine to that of catalyst is 500, the specific surface area is maximized.