1：Experimental Design and Method Selection

The study explored the effect of ethanol on the polycondensation of silanol in the co-hydrolysis-condensation of tetraethyl orthosilicate-dimethyldiethoxysilane under low-water content and acid-catalyzed conditions. The methodology involved varying the amount of ethanol and observing its impact on the gel formation time and the sol-gel transition process.

2：Sample Selection and Data Sources

The samples were prepared using TEOS and DDS as raw materials, with hydrochloric acid as a catalyst and ethanol as a co-solvent. The molar ratios of H2O to Si-OR units were fixed at 1.0:1.5, and TEOS to DDS was fixed at 1.0:1.0 for all samples.

3：List of Experimental Equipment and Materials

TEOS (analytically pure), DDS (analytically pure), hydrochloric acid (analytically pure), absolute ethanol (analytically pure), de-ionized water, Nicolet 6700 IR spectrometer, Netsch STA 409 PG/PC thermogravimeter, Philip XL-130/DX-4 SEM equipment, Zetasizer Nano-ZS laser particle sizer, JL-6000 micron laser particle size analyzer, DSA25 contact angle tester.

4：Experimental Procedures and Operational Workflow

The experiment involved two routes: Route A investigated the effect of ethanol on the storage time of intermediates, and Route B investigated the effect of ethanol on reaction time in closed and open systems. The products were analyzed using IR, TG, SEM, and other techniques.

5：Data Analysis Methods

The data were analyzed using Origin software for nonlinear fitting to obtain the gel time decay coefficient, gel compensation time, and other parameters. The particle size distribution and thermal stability of the products were also analyzed.