Directions in structure formation of oxyhydrate gels of zirconium and rare earth elements.

The formation of oxyhydrate gel systems occurs under conditions that are far from equilibrium. Classical methods of synthesis lead to low reproducibility of the properties of these gels, which is due to principal irreproducibility of colloid systems. When special conditions of the synthesis are used (slow precipitation and prolonged aging at room temperature), directed structure formation takes place: self-similar helical structures are formed, variations of physicochemical characteristics of air-dry samples being insignificant. The directions in structure formation of oxyhydrate gels that lead to self-similar helical structures are discussed. Oligomeric gel moieties, the ratio between which determines the properties of the sample as a whole, have been revealed. The results of computer simulation of gel agglomerates are briefly outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]