Block Copolymer Assemblies as Templates for the Generation of Mesoporous Inorganic Materials and Crystalline Films

Abstract

This Microreview presents the synthesis of mesoporous, crystalline inorganic materials using self‐assembled block copolymer mesostructures as templates. The advances in this field are discussed in light of the progress in the development of suitable polymer templates. Particular emphasis is placed on the special conditions and demands to transform the primary sol–gel films into mesoporous, aligned crystalline films for functional applications. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)

Thermal Conductivity of Cubic and Hexagonal Mesoporous Silica Thin Films

“…Pores in hexagonal films were cylindrical and located at the center and apexes of hexagons when considering a transversal cut. Synthesis of the cubic mesoporous silica thin films using Brij76, P123 and KLE was based on methods developed by Jung et al [40], Alberius et al [19] and Smarsly et al [41], respectively. Hexagonal mesoporous silica thin films from P123 were synthesized following the method described by Zhao et al [42].…”

Lyotropic liquid crystal directed synthesis of nanostructured materials

“…The soft templates have received more attention over the last decade for the generation of nanostructured materials [21,22], because they are more versatile and therefore more advantageous than hard templates. The soft templates are composed of soft compounds such as biomolecules [23], polymer gels [24,25], block-copolymers [26,27], fibers [28] and emulsions [29,30]. The lyotropic liquid crystal (LLC), whose lattice constants range from several nanometers to tens nanometers, may become perfect template candidate for designing novel materials.…”

Ordered Porous Nanomaterials: The Merit of Small

“…These syntheses relied on the cocondensation of species with opposite charges or species with similar charges mediated by the intercalation of counter ions. Another widely used method in the preparation of mesoporous oxides is Evaporation Induced Self-Assembly (EISA), first reported by Brinker and coworkers [215] which was later used in several research groups worldwide, such as the Stucky, Antonietti, or Sanchez groups [195,[216][217][218]. By means of in situ small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy it has been possible to investigate the mechanism involving the EISA process and to divide this process into three steps: (a) preparation of stable solutions containing the templating agent (surfactant) and the inorganic precursors at the appropriate stoichiometry; (b) evaporation induced self-assembly associated with dip-coating.…”