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Macroporous Bulk Gels and Thin Films by Colloidal Templating of Emulsions and Latex Particles

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

G. Subramanian ,
V. N. Manoharan  and
D. J. PINE
G. Subramanian
Affiliation:
Materials Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106.
V. N. Manoharan
Affiliation:
Chemical Engineering Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106
D. J. PINE
Affiliation:
Materials Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106. Chemical Engineering Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106
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Abstract

We present a new way of making macroporous materials using colloidal suspensions of ceramic nanoparticles. We start from a mondisperse emulsion of 0.5 to 3.0 μm diameter oil droplets suspended in an aqueous colloidal dispersion of 80–100 nm silica particles. Upon evaporation of the water, the silica particles form a particulate gel around the emulsion droplets. Removal of the emulsion droplets by dissolution in alcohol and subsequent drying produces a monolithic solid macroporous body. Bulk gels with volume greater than 1 cm3 could be easily produced with this method. Uniform films with thickness of approximately 10 μm have also been made by dip coating of the emulsion-silica colloid mixture. One can also use polystyrene particles as templates in place of the emulsion droplets. Using this approach, we were able to produce highly ordered macroporous titania and silica ceramics with pore sizes around 500 nm and typical dimensions of 3.0 × 2.0 × 0.5 mm3. These dimensions are much larger than those produced using alkoxides. Lower shrinkage associated with particulate gels reduces cracking and increases the structural integrity of the macroporous body.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 628: Symposium CC – Hybrid Organic/Inorganic Materials , 2000 , CC11.1
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2000

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References

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