Formation of ordered mesoporous thin films through templating

Abstract

Pores in the size range 2.0-20 nm are considered mesopores. Using the sol-gel process and a catalog of surfactant molecules, thin films with ordered mesopores can be produced. Films formed by evaporation-induced self-assembly, growth from solution, and other methods such as vapor phase deposition and pulsed laser deposition are examined. The various patterns derived from these approaches are discussed for silica and other oxides, in amorphous and crystalline phases. Patterns can be generated using micelles, self-assembled monolayers (SAM), templates, and molding.