Abstract

Aerogels of 2,3-didecyloxyanthracene (DDOA) are prepared from supercritical fluids in two different ways. In the first, the gel is formed by mixing DDOA and ethanol, and dried by flushing with supercritical CO₂. This process produces a white, light and friable aerogel (density of 6×10⁻³ g cm⁻³), constituted of fibers with diameters ranging from 100 to 200 nm. In the second, DDOA is solubilized in supercritical CO₂ to give a gel which is dried under the same experimental conditions. The resulting very low density aerogel (2×10⁻³ g cm⁻³), has a specific surface equal to 10 m² g⁻¹, and constitutes a network of long fibers with diameters varying from 100 to 200 nm.