Multifunctional, Multilayer, Multiscale: Integrative Synthesis of Complex Macroporous and Mesoporous Thin Films with Spatial Separation of Porosity and Function

Controlled Deposition of Silver Nanoparticles in Mesoporous Single‐ or Multilayer Thin Films: From Tuned Pore Filling to Selective Spatial Location of Nanometric Objects

“…A sharp interface between both layers can be observed, which is in agreement with the XRR results. As previously reported, the bilayers are interconnected and mass transport of molecules or ions readily takes place through the interface formed 20–22. Figure 7d (inset) shows a FESEM image of the film zone near the hole created in the titania layer.…”

“…The EISA method was used to build uniform and smooth single or multilayer MOTFs with highly ordered mesoporous structures. The step‐by‐step synthesis of EISA multilayers offers the possibility to control the film thickness, porosity, and composition 20, 21…”

“…Therefore, we can conclude that each layer presents an independent chemical behavior in this particular bilayer system. Remarkably, the topmost SC non‐reacting film is accessible and allows the diffusion of reactants to the TB layer underneath,20 suggesting the possibility of designing a “smart” coating for an integrated nanodevice. Similar results were observed in all titania–silica systems studied, irrespective of their pore size, and also in ZrO 2 mesoporous templated matrices that presented lower filling values (not shown).…”

“…A widespread palette of MOTFs has been developed so far. Previous works have clearly shown the controlled construction of SiO 2 and TiO 2 single layers or multilayered mesoporous thin films stacks using evaporation induced self‐assembly (EISA) techniques 20–22. Appropriately controlling the pre‐ and post‐synthesis treatments (thermal conditioning, selective grafting, consolidation, etching, etc.)…”

“…Appropriately controlling the pre‐ and post‐synthesis treatments (thermal conditioning, selective grafting, consolidation, etching, etc.) leads to the generation of tailored thin films with varying porosities and organic functional groups either starting from organic silane precursors21 or differential adsorption on TiO 2 /SiO 2 multilayers 20. These highly ordered and precisely located chemical environments along the film structure are attractive platforms when designing smart and responsive materials with nanoscale‐organized architectures structured with hierarchical length scales 23…”