Characterization of Selenium Doped Silica Gels Synthesized by Sol-Gel Method

Abstract

Selenium is a rare element in nature. It is used in the food, pharmaceutical, and glass industries. In commercial glasses, selenium is the element responsible for most of the pink or light red color, but its effect is primarily dependent on the oxidation state of the element in the glassy matrix. Besides, selenium is highly volatile, and as high as 80 wt% may be lost in the furnace during the industrial glass elaboration. The sol–gel method yields synthesized materials of high purity and homogeneity, and uses low processing temperatures. Samples of silica gels were obtained by sol-gel method, incorporating precursors of selenium, with the main objective of reducing selenium losses during its heating. The results of optical absorption, XRD and thermal analysis (TGA, DSC) of the gels are presented and discussed.