Preparation of an ordered nanoporous silicone-based material using silica colloidal crystals as a hard template

Abstract

An ordered nanoporous silicone-based material with an inverse opal structure consisting of interconnected spherical pores was prepared by the thiol-ene reaction of linear and cyclic organosiloxanes within the interstitial voids of silica colloidal crystals, followed by removal of the silica template under basic conditions. The silicone-based framework is promising for the design of nanoporous materials with unique properties and functions.