Methods for controlling pore morphology in aerogels using electric fields and products thereof

An aerogel or xerogel, comprising:

• column structures comprising a carbon material, the column structures having minor pores therein;
• fluorescent nanoparticles deposited along the column structures;
• and
• major pores devoid of the carbon material positioned between the column structures, longitudinal axes of the major pores being substantially parallel to one another;
• wherein the aerogel or xerogel has structural characteristics of being formed from a sol having aerogel or xerogel precursor materials and a plurality of electrically conductive particles therein, the plurality of electrically conductive particles being configured to move in a direction consistent with an electric field to generate the column structures;
• and
• wherein the plurality of electrically conductive particles are retained in the aerogel or xerogel.

An aerogel, comprising:

• column structures comprising carbon, the carbon column structures having minor pores therein;
• major pores devoid of carbon positioned between the carbon column structures, longitudinal axes of the major pores being substantially parallel to one another;
• one or more fluorescent nanoparticles deposited along at least one surf ace of each column structure;
• and
• a plurality of non-spherical particles that are electrically conductive,
• wherein the aerogel has structural characteristics of being formed from a sol having aerogel precursor materials and the plurality of non-spherical particles therein, the plurality of non-spherical particles being configured to move in a direction consistent with an electric field to generate the column structures.