Double Epitaxy as a Paradigm for Templated Growth of Highly Ordered Three-Dimensional Mesophase Crystals

Abstract

Molecular templating and self-assembly are fundamental mechanisms for controlling the morphology of biominerals, while in synthetic two-dimensional layered materials similar levels of control over materials structure can be achieved through the epitaxial relationship with the substrate. In this study these two concepts are combined to provide an approach for the nucleation and growth of three-dimensional ordered mesophases on solid surfaces. A combined experimental and theoretical study revealed how atomic ordering of the substrate controls the structure of surfactant template and the orientation and morphology of the epitaxially grown inorganic material. This dual epitaxial relationship between the substrate, surfactant template, and inorganic mesophase gives rise to a highly ordered porous mesophase with a well-defined cubic lattice of pores. The level of control over the material's three-dimensional architecture achieved in this one-step synthesis is reminiscent of that in biomineralization.

Controlling Metal–Organic Framework/ZnO Heterostructure Kinetics through Selective Ligand Binding to ZnO Surface Steps

“…In particular, the ligand–substrate interactions and the cooperation of chemical potential, strain energy, and interfacial energies of nanoscale crystals should be critical to define the heterostructure growth kinetics and pathways. A physical understanding of ligand–substrate interactions as well as the chemical, interfacial energy, and strain energy control in solution conditions is also broadly relevant to other materials and environmental systems, including the organic induced heterogeneous crystallization or dissolution of biominerals in biological and biomimetic systems − and predictive heterostructural 2D or 3D materials design and synthesis. ,,− …”

Tricontinuous Nanostructured Polymers via Polymerization-Induced Microphase Separation

“…While multiply continuous inorganic materials from templating techniques are actively being pursued, − tricontinuous polymers themselves are useful in technologies requiring disparate properties in a single material. This may include multiple mechanical attributes such as high ultimate elongation, elastic modulus, and impact strength or a combination of mechanical rigidity, ion conductivity, and electron conductivity .…”