| abstract |
Metallic aerogel compositions comprising an aerogel, e.g., RF or carbon aerogel, having metallic particles dispersed on its surface are disclosed. The aerogel compositions can have a uniform distribution of small metallic particles, e.g., 1 nanometer average particle diameter. Also disclosed are processes for making the aerogel compositions comprising contacting an aerogel with a supercritical fluid containing a metallic compound. The aerogel compositions are useful, for example in the manufacture of fuel cell electrodes. The pores of the aerogel have a pore volume of at least 0.5 cm3/g, and a surface area of at least 100 m2/g. The aerosol may comprise at least one oxide selected from silica, alumina, titania, vanadia, niobia, zirconia, tantala and mixtures thereof. |