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Mesopores
Kinds of Mesopores Selected AbstractsHierarchic Nanostructure for Auto-Modulation of Material Release: Mesoporous Nanocompartment FilmsADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 11 2009Qingmin Ji The preparation of mesoporous nanocompartment films composed of both hollow silica capsules and silica particles by using layer-by-layer (LbL) adsorption is described. The resultant nanocompartment films exhibit stepwise release of encapsulated water molecules without application of external stimuli. The hollow hierarchic pore structure of the silica capsules, including their internal void and mesoporous walls, is a key factor for the regulation and stepwise release of water, and is probably caused by the non-equilibrated concurrent evaporation of material from the mesopore and capillary penetration into the mesopores. The number of release steps and rate of release can be tuned by variation of several parameters including water content, ambient temperature, layer multiplicity, and co-adduct particle size. Application of the mesoporous nanocompartment films for the release of substances, including therapeutic agents and fragrances, indicates that the stepwise material release can be applied for a wide range of liquid substances. The films should lead to a novel material release system useful even for biomedical applications capable of controlled and sustained delivery of drug molecules. [source] Effect of activation temperature on pore development in activated carbon produced from palm shellJOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 1 2003Wan Mohd Ashri Wan Daud Abstract A series of experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of activation temperature on pore development of activated carbon produced from palm shell. Activation of the samples was carried out at 800, 850 and 900,°C for different durations ranging from 10 to 180,min. The samples were characterized using N2 adsorption for evaluation of micropores and the mercury intrusion technique for mesopore and macropore analysis. Within the range of activation temperatures studied, high burn-off products derived from high activation temperatures tend to have larger micropore development. However, an increase in the activation temperature has no remarkable effect on mesopore and macropore development. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Influence of the OMCs pore structures on the capacitive performances of supercapacitorASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 5 2009Gu-Zhen Nong Abstract In the present study, two mesoporous carbons OMC-KIT-6 and OMC-SBA-16 were nanocasted using mesoporous silica of KIT-6 and SBA-16 as templates and furfuryl alcohol as carbon precursor. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) characterizations confirmed that the resultant samples are mesoporous carbons, and the as-prepared OMC-KIT-6 has an Ia3d ordered structure, whereas OMC-SBA-16 belongs to Im3m space group. The surface area and the average pore size are (1658 m2 g,1 and 3.4 nm) for OMC-KIT-6 and (1638 m2 g,1 and 2.9 nm) for OMC-SBA-16, respectively. The results of cyclic voltammograms and galvanostatic charge-discharge tests show that these two mesoporous carbons have excellent capacitive performances. But the difference of capacitive behavior between OMC-KIT-6 and OMC-SBA-16 may be a result of the difference of pore geometries of these two carbons. In order to find out the function of mesopore in a supercapacitor, we compared the capacitive properties of mesoporous and microporous carbons; the experiment results indicated that these two kinds of carbon exhibit nearly ideal capacitive behavior at low scan rate. When the scan rate is enhanced up to 50 mV s,1 the performance of mesoporous carbon is more stable than microporous carbon. This outcome demonstrated that mesopore plays an important role in forming double layers in the electrode materials. Copyright © 2009 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Capillary electrochromatography with monolithic silica column:,I.ELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 3 2003Preparation of silica monoliths having surface-bound octadecyl moieties, applications to the separation of neutral, charged species, their chromatographic characterization Abstract Monolithic silica columns with surface-bound octadecyl (C18) moieties have been prepared by a sol-gel process in 100 ,m ID fused-silica capillaries for reversed-phase capillary electrochromatography of neutral and charged species. The reaction conditions for the preparation of the C18-silica monoliths were optimized for maximum surface coverage with octadecyl moieties in order to maximize retention and selectivity toward neutral and charged solutes with a sufficiently strong electroosmotic flow (>,2 mm/s) to yield rapid analysis time. Furthermore, the effect of the pore-tailoring process on the silica monoliths was performed over a wide range of treatment time with 0.010 M ammonium hydroxide solution in order to determine the optimum time and conditions that yield mesopores of narrow pore size distribution that result in high separation efficiency. Under optimum column fabrication conditions and optimum mobile phase composition and flow velocity, the average separation efficiency reached 160,000 plates/m, a value comparable to that obtained on columns packed with 3 ,m C18-silica particles with the advantages of high permeability and virtually no bubble formation. The optimized monolithic C18-silica columns were evaluated for their retention properties toward neutral and charged analytes over a wide range of mobile phase compositions. A series of dimensionless retention parameters were evaluated and correlated to solute polarity and electromigration property. A dimensionless mobility modulus was introduced to describe charged solute migration and interaction behavior with the monolithic C18-silica in a counterflow regime during capillary electrochromatography (CEC )separations. The mobility moduli correlated well with the solute hydrophobic character and its charge-to-mass ratio. [source] Availability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from lampblack-impacted soils at former oil-gas plant sites in California, USAENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 3 2007Lei Hong Abstract Lampblack-impacted soils at former oil-gas plant sites in California, USA, were characterized to assess the sorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and the concentration-dependent effects of a residual oil tar phase on sorption mechanism and availability of PAHs. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy demonstrated similar aromaticity for both lampblack carbon and the oil tar phase, with pronounced resonance signals in the range of 100 to 150 ppm. Scanning-electron microscopic images revealed a physically distinct oil tar phase, especially at high concentrations in lampblack, which resulted in an organic-like film structure when lampblack particles became saturated with the oil tar. Sorption experiments were conducted on a series of laboratory-prepared lampblack samples to systematically evaluate influences of an oil tar phase on PAH sorption to lampblack. Results indicate that the sorption of PAHs to lampblack exhibits a competition among sorption phases at low oil tar contents when micro- and mesopores are accessible. When the oil tar content increases to more than 5 to 10% by weight, this tar phase fills small pores, reduces surface area, and dominates PAH sorption on lampblack surface. A new PAH partitioning model, Kd = KLB-C(1- ftar)° + ftarKtar (, = empirical exponent), incorporates these effects in which the control of PAH partitioning transits from being dominated by sorption in lampblack (KLB-C) to absorption in oil tar (Ktar), depending on the fraction of tar (ftar). This study illustrates the importance of understanding interactions among PAHs, oil tar, and lampblack for explaining the differences in availability of PAHs among site soils and, consequently, for refining site-specific risk assessment and establishing soil cleanup levels. [source] Enhancing the Porosity of Mesoporous Carbon-Templated ZSM-5 by DesilicationEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 33 2008Martin S. Holm Abstract A tunable desilication protocol applied on a mesoporous ZSM-5 zeolite synthesized by carbon-templating is reported. The strategy enables a systematic manufacture of zeolite catalysts with moderate to very high mesoporosities. Coupling carbon-templating and desilication thus allow for more than a doubling of the original mesopore volume and mesopore surface area. The porosity effect arising from various treatment times and base amounts in the media has beenthoroughly mapped. Initially, small mesopores are created, and as desilication strength increases the average mesopore size enhances. Crystallinity of the treated samples is retained, and electron microscopy indicates solely intracrystalline mesoporosity.(© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008) [source] High-Zirconium-Content Nano-Sized Bimodal Mesoporous SilicasEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 13 2006David Ortiz de Zárate Abstract Silica-based nanoparticulated bimodal mesoporous materials with high Zr content (43 , Si/Zr , 4) have been synthesized by a one-pot surfactant-assisted procedure from a hydroalcoholic medium using a cationic surfactant (CTMABr = cetyltrimethylammonium bromide) as structure-directing agent, and starting from molecular atrane complexes of Zr and Si as hydrolytic inorganic precursors. This preparative technique allows optimization of the dispersion of the Zr guest species in the silica walls. The bimodal mesoporous nature of the final high surface area nano-sized materials is confirmed by XRD, TEM, and N2 adsorption,desorption isotherms. The small intraparticle mesopore system (with pore sizes around 2,3 nm) is due to the supramolecular templating effect of the surfactant, while the large mesopores (around 12,24 nm) have their origin in the packing voids generated by aggregation of the primary nanometric mesoporous particles. The basicity of the reaction medium seems to be a key parameter in the definition of this last pore system. The effects induced by the progressive incorporation of Zr atoms on the mesostructure have been examined, and the local environment of the Zr sites in the framework has been investigated by UV/Vis spectroscopy. Observations based on the consequences of post-treatments of the as-synthesized materials with HCl/ethanol mixtures corroborate that the atrane method leads to Zr-rich materials showing enhanced site accessibility and high chemical homogeneity throughout the pore walls. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006) [source] Surface-Protected Etching of Mesoporous Oxide Shells for the Stabilization of Metal NanocatalystsADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 14 2010Qiao Zhang Abstract Nanoparticles of transition metals, particularly noble metals, are widely used in catalysis. However, enhancing their stability during catalytic reactions has been a challenge that has limited the full use of the benefits associated with their small size. In this Feature Article, a general "encapsulation and etching" strategy for the fabrication of nanocatalyst systems is introduced in which catalyst nanoparticles are protected within porous shells. The novelty of this approach lies in the use of chemical etching to assist the creation of mesopores in a protective oxide shell to promote efficient mass transfer to encapsulated metal nanoparticles. The etching process allows for the direct transformation of dense silica coatings into porous shells so that chemical species can reach the catalyst surface to participate in reactions while the shells act as physical barriers against aggregation of the catalyst particles. By using the surface-protected etching process, both yolk,shell and core,satellite type nanoreactors are synthesized and their utilization in liquid- and gas-phase catalysis is demonstrated. The thermal and chemical stability of the metallic cores during catalytic reactions is also investigated, and further work is carried out to enhance recyclability via the introduction of superparamagnetic components into the nanoreactor framework. [source] Multifunctional Mesoporous Silica Material Used for Detection and Adsorption of Cu2+ in Aqueous Solution and Biological Applications in vitro and in vivoADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 12 2010Qingtao Meng Abstract An inorganic,organic silica material (SBA,P2), prepared by immobilization of the 1,8-naphthalimide-based receptor P2 within the channels of the mesoporous silica material SBA-15, is characterized by transmission electron microscopy and several spectroscopic methods. SBA,P2 features a high affinity Cu2+ -specific fluorescence response in aqueous solution with a detection limit for Cu2+ of ca. 0.65,ppb (10,×,10,9,M) under optimized conditions. It can extract Cu2+ from the solution with only trace amounts remaining. Through isolating of the toxic ions within the mesopores of the silica, SBA,P2 has the potential to work as a toxicide for Cu2+ in living systems. The fluorogenical responses are reversible and do not vary over a broad (4.0 to 9.0) pH range suitable for application under physiological conditions. The fluorescence responses of Cu2+ in vitro (human breast cancer cells) and in vivo (five-day-old zebrafish) demonstrate the possibility of further application in biology. [source] Preparation and Characterization of a pH- and Thermally Responsive Poly(N -isopropylacrylamide- co -acrylic acid)/Porous SiO2 HybridADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 5 2010Loren A. Perelman Abstract A multifunctional nanohybrid composed of a pH- and thermoresponsive hydrogel, poly(N -isopropylacrylamide- co -acrylic acid) [poly(NIPAM- co -AAc)], is synthesized in situ within the mesopores of an oxidized porous Si template. The hybrid is characterized by electron microscopy and by thin film optical interference spectroscopy. The optical reflectivity spectrum of the hybrid displays Fabry,Pérot fringes characteristic of thin film optical interference, enabling direct, real-time observation of the pH-induced swelling, and volume phase transitions associated with the confined poly(NIPAM- co -AAc) hydrogel. The optical response correlates to the percentage of AAc contained within the hydrogel, with a maximum change observed for samples containing 20% AAc. The swelling kinetics of the hydrogel are significantly altered due to the nanoscale confinement, displaying a more rapid response to pH or heating stimuli relative to bulk polymer films. The inclusion of AAc dramatically alters the thermoresponsiveness of the hybrid at pH 7, effectively eliminating the lower critical solution temperature (LCST). The observed changes in the optical reflectivity spectrum are interpreted in terms of changes in the dielectric composition and morphology of the hybrids. [source] Enhanced Optical Properties and Opaline Self-Assembly of PPV Encapsulated in Mesoporous Silica SpheresADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 23 2009Timothy L. Kelly Abstract A new poly(p -phenylenevinylene) (PPV) composite material has been developed by the incorporation of insoluble PPV polymer chains in the pores of monodisperse mesoporous silica spheres through an ion-exchange and in situ polymerization method. The polymer distribution within the resultant colloidal particles is characterized by electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis, powder X-ray diffraction, and nitrogen adsorption. It was found that the polymer was selectively incorporated into the mesopores of the silica host and was well distributed throughout the body of the particles. This confinement of the polymer influences the optical properties of the composite; these were examined by UV,vis and fluorescence spectroscopy and time-correlated single-photon counting. The results show a material that exhibits an extremely high fluorescence quantum yield (approaching 85%), and an improved resistance to oxidative photobleaching compared to PPV. These enhanced optical properties are further complemented by the overall processability of the colloidal material. In marked contrast to the insolubility of PPV, the material can be processed as a stable colloidal dispersion, and the individual composite spheres can be self-assembled into opaline films using the vertical deposition method. The bandgap of the opal can be engineered to overlap with the emission band of the polymer, which has significant ramifications for lasing. [source] Study of the Catalytic Layer in Polybenzimidazole-based High Temperature PEMFC: Effect of Platinum Content on the Carbon SupportFUEL CELLS, Issue 2 2010J. Lobato Abstract In this work, the effect of platinum percentage on the carbon support of commercial catalyst for electrodes to be used in a Polybenzimidazole (PBI)-based PEMFC has been studied. Three percentages were studied (20, 40 and 60%). In all cases, the same quantity of PBI in the catalyst layer was added, which is required as a ,binder'. From Hg porosimetry analyses, pore size distribution, porosity, mean pore size and tortuosity of all electrodes were obtained. The amount of mesopores gets larger as the platinum percentage in the catalytic layer decreases, which reduces the overall porosity and the mean pore size and increases the tortuosity. The electrochemical characterisation was performed by voltamperometric studies, assessing the effective electrochemical surface area (ESA) of the electrodes, by impedance spectroscopy (IS), determining the polarisation resistance, and by the corresponding fuel cell measurements. The best results were obtained for the electrodes with a content of 40% Pt on carbon, as a result of an adequate combination of catalytic activity and mass transfer characteristics of the electrode. It has been demonstrated that the temperature favours the fuel cell performance, and the humidification does not have remarkable effects on the performance of a PBI-based polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). [source] Synthesis, Mechanism, and Gas-Sensing Application of Surfactant Tailored Tungsten Oxide NanostructuresADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 11 2009Suman Pokhrel Abstract Widely applicable nonaqueous solution routes have been employed for the syntheses of crystalline nanostructured tungsten oxide particles from a tungsten hexachloride precursor. Here, a systematic study on the crystallization and assembly behavior of tungsten oxide products made by using the bioligand deferoxamine mesylate (DFOM) (product I), the two chelating ligands hexadecyltrimethylammoniumbromide (CTAB) (II) and poly(alkylene oxide) block copolymer (Pluronic P123) (III) is presented. The mechanistic pathways for the material synthesis are also discussed in detail. The tungsten oxide nanomaterials and reaction solutions are characterized by Fourier transform IR, 1H, and 13C NMR spectroscopies, powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM, and selected-area electron diffraction. The indexing of the line pattern suggests WO3 is in its monoclinic structure with a,=,0.7297,nm, b,=,0.7539,nm, c,=,0.7688,nm, and ,-i;,=,90.91,°. The nanoparticles formed have various architectures, such as chromosomal shapes (product I) and slates (II), which are quite different from the mesoporous one (III) that has internal pores or mesopores ranging from 5 to 15,nm. The nanoparticles obtained from all the synthetic procedures are in the range of 40,60,nm. The investigation of the gas-sensing properties of these materials indicate that all the sensors have good baseline stability and the sensors fabricated from material III present very different response kinetics and different CO detection properties. The possibility of adjusting the morphology and by that tuning the gas-sensing properties makes the preparation strategies used interesting candidates for fabricating gas-sensing materials. [source] Hierarchic Nanostructure for Auto-Modulation of Material Release: Mesoporous Nanocompartment FilmsADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 11 2009Qingmin Ji The preparation of mesoporous nanocompartment films composed of both hollow silica capsules and silica particles by using layer-by-layer (LbL) adsorption is described. The resultant nanocompartment films exhibit stepwise release of encapsulated water molecules without application of external stimuli. The hollow hierarchic pore structure of the silica capsules, including their internal void and mesoporous walls, is a key factor for the regulation and stepwise release of water, and is probably caused by the non-equilibrated concurrent evaporation of material from the mesopore and capillary penetration into the mesopores. The number of release steps and rate of release can be tuned by variation of several parameters including water content, ambient temperature, layer multiplicity, and co-adduct particle size. Application of the mesoporous nanocompartment films for the release of substances, including therapeutic agents and fragrances, indicates that the stepwise material release can be applied for a wide range of liquid substances. The films should lead to a novel material release system useful even for biomedical applications capable of controlled and sustained delivery of drug molecules. [source] Formation of Chiral Mesopores in Conducting Polymers by Chiral-Lipid-Ribbon Templating and "Seeding" Route,ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 18 2008Chaxing Fan Abstract Conducting polymer nanofibers with controllable chiral mesopores in the size, the shape, and handedness have been synthesized by chiral lipid ribbon templating and "seeding" route. Chiral mesoporous conducting poly(pyrrole) (CMPP) synthesized with very small amount of chiral amphiphilic molecules (usually,<,3%) has helically twisted channels with well-defined controllable pore size of 5,20,nm in central axis of the twisted fibers. The structure and chirality of helical mesopores have been characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and electron tomography. The average pore diameters of chiral mesopores were approximately estimated from the N2 adsorption,desorption data and calculated by the conversion calculation from helical ribbons to a rectangular straight tape. The pore size of CMPP has been controlled by choosing different alkyl chain lengths of chiral lipid molecules or precisely adjusting the H2O/EtOH volume ratio. [source] MEL-type Pure-Silica Zeolite Nanocrystals Prepared by an Evaporation-Assisted Two-Stage Synthesis Method as Ultra-Low- k Materials,ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 12 2008Yan Liu Abstract A MEL-type pure-silica zeolite (PSZ), prepared by spin-on of nanoparticle suspensions, has been shown to be a promising ultra-low-dielectric-constant (k) material because of its high mechanical strength, hydrophobicity, and chemical stability. In our previous works, a two-stage synthesis method was used to synthesize a MEL-zeolite nanoparticle suspension, in which both nanocrystal yield and particle size of the zeolite suspension increased with increasing synthesis time. For instance, at a crystal yield of 63%, the particle size is 80,nm, which has proved to be too large because it introduces a number of problems for the spin-on films, including large surface roughness, surface striations, and large mesopores. In the current study, the two-stage synthesis method is modified into an evaporation-assisted two-stage method by adding a solvent-evaporation process between the two thermal-treatment steps. The modified method can yield much smaller particle sizes (e.g., 14,vs. 80,nm) while maintaining the same nanocrystal yields as the two-stage synthesis. Furthermore, the nanoparticle suspensions from the evaporation-assisted two-stage synthesis show a bimodal particle size distribution. The primary nanoparticles are around 14,nm in size and are stable in the final suspension with 60% solvent evaporation. The factors that affect nanocrystal synthesis are discussed, including the concentration, pH value, and viscosity. Spin-on films prepared by using suspensions synthesized this way have no striations and improved elastic modulus (9.67,±,1.48,GPa vs. 7.82,±,1.30,GPa), as well as a similar k value (1.91,±,0.09 vs. 1.89,±,0.08) to the previous two-stage synthesized films. [source] Multiple Functionalization of Mesoporous Silica in One-Pot: Direct Synthesis of Aluminum-Containing Plugged SBA-15 from Aqueous Nitrate Solutions,ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 1 2008Y. Wu Abstract Aluminum-containing plugged mesoporous silica has been successfully prepared in an aqueous solution that contains triblock copolymer templates, nitrates, and silica sources but without using mineral acid. The acidity of the solution can be finely tuned from pH 1.4 to 2.8 according to the amount of the introduced aluminum species which ranged from an Al/Si molar ratio of 0.25/1 to 4.0/1. The aluminum nitrate additive in the starting mixture, along with the weak acidity produced by the nitrates, contributes to the formation of plugged hexagonal structures and the introduction of different amounts of aluminum species into the mesostructure. Characterization by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and N2 sorption measurements show that the Al-containing plugged silicas possess well-ordered hexagonal mesostructures with high surface areas (700,860 m2,g,1), large pore volume (0.77,1.05 cm3,g,1) and, more importantly, combined micropores and/or small mesopores in the cylindrical channels. Inductively coupled plasma,atomic emission spectrometry results show that 0.7,3.0 wt,% aluminum can be introduced into the final samples. 27Al MAS NMR results display that about 43,60% aluminum species are incorporated into the skeleton of the Al-containing silicas and the amount of the framework aluminum increases as the initial added nitrates rises. Scanning electron microscopy images reveal that the directly synthesized Al-containing plugged silica has a similar morphology to that of traditional SBA-15. Furthermore, the Al-containing plugged samples have excellent performances in the adsorption and the catalytic decomposition of isopropyl alcohol and nitrosamine. Finally, the direct synthesis method is used to produce plugged mesoporous silicas that contain other metals such as chromium and copper, and the resultant samples also show good catalytic activities. [source] Templated Synthesis of Mesoporous Superparamagnetic Polymers,ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 14 2007B. Fuertes Abstract We present a novel synthetic strategy for fabricating superparamagnetic nanoparticles randomly dispersed in a mesoporous polymeric matrix. This method is based on the use of mesoporous silica materials as templates. The procedure used to obtain these mesoporous magnetic polymers consisted in: a),generating iron oxide ferrite magnetic nanoparticles (FMNP) of size ,,7,8,nm within the pores of the silica, b),loading the porosity of the silica/FMNP composite with a polymer (Polydivinylbenzene), c),selectively removing the silica framework from the resulting silica/FMNP/polymer composite. Such magnetic porous polymeric materials exhibit large surface areas (up to 630,m2,g,1), high pore volumes (up to 0.73,cm3,g,1) and a porosity made up of mesopores. In this way, it is possible to obtain superparamagnetic mesoporous hybrid nanocomposites that are easily manipulated by an external magnetic field and display different magnetic behaviours depending on the textural properties of the template employed. [source] Synthesis of ZSM-5 Films and Monoliths with Bimodal Micro/Mesoscopic StructuresADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 1 2004I. Cho Abstract A route to synthesize ZSM-5 crystals with a bimodal micro/mesoscopic pore system has been developed in this study; the successful incorporation of the mesopores within the ZSM-5 structure was performed using tetrapropylammonium hydroxide (TPAOH)-impregnated mesoporous materials containing carbon nanotubes in the pores, which were encapsulated in the ZSM-5 crystals during a solid rearrangement process within the framework. Such mesoporous ZSM-5 zeolites can be readily obtained as powders, thin films, or monoliths. [source] Colloidal-Crystal Laser Using Monodispersed Mesoporous Silica SpheresADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 41 2009Hisashi Yamada Monodispersed mesoporous silica spheres (MMSSs) are silica colloid particles with uniform mesopores and particle diameters. MMSS ionic colloidal crystals can be fabricated by self-organization and immobilization using a hydrogel. From measurements of the emission light of the gel-immobilized MMSSs where a laser dye was incorporated, laser emission occurred through the excitation by a YAG laser. [source] A conceptual model of preferential flow systems in forested hillslopes: evidence of self-organizationHYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 10 2001Roy C. Sidle Abstract Preferential flow paths are known to be important conduits of subsurface stormflow in forest hillslopes. Earlier research on preferential flow paths focused on vertical transport; however, lateral transport is also evident in steep forested slopes underlain by bedrock or till. Macropores consisting of decayed and live roots, subsurface erosion, surface bedrock fractures, and animal burrows form the basis of a ,backbone' for lateral preferential flow in such sites. Evidence from field studies in Japan indicates that although individual macropore segments are generally <0·5 m in length, they have a tendency to self-organize into larger preferential flow systems as sites become wetter. Staining tests show clear evidence of interconnected macropore flow segments, including: flow within decayed root channels and subsurface erosion cavities; flow in small depressions of the bedrock substrate; fracture flow in weathered bedrock; exchange between macropores and mesopores; and flow at the organic horizon,mineral soil interface and in buried pockets of organic material and loose soil. Here we develop a three-dimensional model for preferential flow systems based on distributed attributes of macropores and potential connecting nodes (e.g. zones of loose soil and buried organic matter). We postulate that the spatially variable and non-linear preferential flow response observed at our Japan field site, as well as at other sites, is attributed to discrete segments of macropores connecting at various nodes within the regolith. Each node is activated by local soil water conditions and is influenced strongly by soil depth, permeability, pore size, organic matter distribution, surface and substrate topography, and possibly momentum dissipation. This study represents the first attempt to characterize the spatially distributed nature of preferential flow paths at the hillslope scale and presents strong evidence that these networks exhibit complex system behaviour. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Block Copolymer Nanostructures: Nanoscopic Morphologies in Block Copolymer Nanorods as Templates for Atomic-Layer Deposition of Semiconductors (Adv. Mater.ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 27 200927/2009) The frontispiece shows a TEM image of block copolymer nanorods exhibiting nanoscopic domain structures visualized by selective staining. The insets represent the methodology for producing semiconductor nanostructures reported by Yong Wang, Martin Steinhart, and co-workers on p. 2763. The first panel shows block copolymer nanorods, the second, the nanorods after conversion of the nanoscopic domain structure into a mesopore structure, and the third, the complex 1D semiconductor nanostructures obtained by ALD using the mesopores as templates. [source] Nanoscopic Morphologies in Block Copolymer Nanorods as Templates for Atomic-Layer Deposition of SemiconductorsADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 27 2009Yong Wang Block-copolymer nanorods containing mesopore structures derived from confinement-induced nanoscopic morphologies were used as templates for atomic-layer deposition. Diffusion of the ALD precursors through the polymeric scaffold and deposition of ZnO on the walls of the internal mesopores yielded 1D ZnO nanostructures with hierarchical architectures containing helices and stacked doughnuts as structure motifs. [source] SiOC Ceramic Monoliths with Hierarchical PorosityINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED CERAMIC TECHNOLOGY, Issue 4 2010Cekdar Vakifahmetoglu SiOC glass monoliths possessing hierarchical porosity were produced by a one-pot processing method. Periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO) particles were embedded into a foamed siloxane preceramic polymer. After pyrolysis at 1000°C in inert atmosphere, open celled, permeable SiOC ceramic monoliths with a high amount of pores, ranging in size from hundred of micrometers to a few nanometers, were obtained. The components possessed a specific surface area of 137 m2/g, indicating the retention of most of the mesopores after the pyrolytic conversion of the PMO precursor particles. These fillers converted to truncated rhombic dodecahedral SiOC mesoporous micron-sized grains, homogeneously distributed throughout the SiOC cellular matrix. The produced porous ceramics possessed compression strength of about 1.7 MPa, which is adequate for their use in several engineering applications. [source] A New Method for Post-Synthesis Coating of Zirconia on the Mesopore Walls of SBA-15 Without Pore Blocking,ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 11 2008Cheralathan Kanakkampalayan Krishnan Zirconia coating of the mesopore walls of the mesoporous silica material SBA-15 is achieved by internal hydrolysis of a zirconia precursor, which is loaded inside the mesopores, using NH3/H2O vapor at elevated temperature and subsequent calcination (see figure). High loadings of zirconia, more than 30 wt%, can be coated on the mesopore walls without any pore blocking. [source] Formation of Porous SiC Ceramics by Pyrolysis of Wood Impregnated with SilicaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED CERAMIC TECHNOLOGY, Issue 6 2006Kateryna Vyshnyakova Biomorphous ,-SiC ceramics were produced at 1400°C from pine wood impregnated with silica. This one-step carbothermal reduction process decreases the cost of manufacturing of SiC ceramics compared with siliconization of carbonized wood in silicon vapor. The synthesized sample exhibits a 14 m2/g surface area and has a hybrid pore structure with large 5,20 ,m tubular macropores and small (<50 nm) slit-shaped mesopores. SiC whiskers of 20,400 nm in diameter and 5,20 ,m in length formed within the tubular pores. These whiskers are expected to improve the filtration by removing dust particles that could otherwise penetrate through large pores. After ultrasonic milling, the powdered sample showed an average particle size of ,30 nm. The SiC nanopowder produced in this process may be used for manufacturing SiC ceramics for structural, tribological, and other applications. [source] Probing of Functionalized Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Using Transition Metal Clusters,ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 21 2003S. Hermans Molecular clusters (homo- and bi-metallic) have been used to gain structural information on nanoparticles of mesoporous silica (see Figure). Using scanning transmission electron microscopy, the spatial distribution of clusters has been imaged to determine the accessibility of the mesopores. The clusters are also used as "stains" to determine the exact location and number of functional sites within the substrates. [source] Platinum Surface Modification of SBA-15 by ,-Radiation Treatment,ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 6 2003T. Yamada Modification of the mesoporous surface of SBA-15 with platinum has been successfully carried out by means of ,-radiation treatment. This novel treatment allows the selective growth of platinum in the SBA-15 micropores (see Figure). This is in contrast to traditional temperature treatment, in which platinum particles or rods also grow in the mesopores. [source] Porous structure of NiO-based xerogelsJOURNAL OF APPLIED CRYSTALLOGRAPHY, Issue 3-1 2000H. Fischer NiO-based xerogels were prepared by sol-gel processing starting from the NiCl2 -BuOH-H2O system. Structural features associated to the porosity of xerogels were studied by small-angle X-ray scattering. Xerogels heat-treated at low temperatures (423 and 573 K) are composed of hydrated NiCl2 small crystals and exhibit an essentially single mode nanoporous structure with an average pore radius of ,75 Ĺ. Xerogels heat-treated at 973 and 1173 K are composed of aggregates of NiO crystals which only contain intergrain mesopores with radii exceeding 200 Ĺ. A mixture of phases is observed in xerogels heat-treated at 773 K. Xerogels with a water concentration of 2 mol/(mol NiCl2) exhibit a narrow nanopore size distribution. Water concentrations higher or lower than 2 mol promote the formation of nanoporous structures with wider size distributions. [source] Synthesis and simple method of estimating macroporosity of methyl methacrylate,divinylbenzene copolymer beadsJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 6 2008Muhammad Arif Malik Abstract Macroporous methyl methacrylate,divinylbenzene copolymer beads having diameter , 300 ,m were synthesized by free radical suspension copolymerization. The macroporosity was generated by diluting the monomers with inert organic liquid diluents. The macroporosity was varied in the range of ,0.1 to , 1.0 mL/g by varying a number of porosity controlling factors, such as the diluents, solvent to nonsolvent mixing ratios when employing a mixture of the two diluents, degree of dilution, and crosslinkage. Increase in pore volume from 0.1 to 0.45 mL/g resulted in a sharp increase in mesopores having diameters in the range of 3,20 nm whereas the macropores remained negligible when compared with mesopores. Increase in pore volume from 0.45 to 1 mL/g resulted in a sharp increase in macropores, whereas mesopores having diameters in the range of 3,20 nm remained almost constant. The mesopores having diameters in the range of 20,50 nm showed an increase with the increase in pore volume throughout the whole range of pore volume studied. Macroporosity characteristics, i.e., pore volume (Vm), surface area (SA), and pore size distributions were evaluated by mercury penetration method. Statistical analysis of the data obtained in the present study shows that the macroporosity characteristics can be estimated with a reasonable accuracy from the pore volumes, which in turn are determined from the densities of the copolymers. These results are explained on the basis of pore formation mechanism. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008 [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||