Design and synthesis of self-ordered mesoporous nanocomposite through controlled in-situ crystallization

Nat Mater. 2004 Jan;3(1):65-72. doi: 10.1038/nmat1043. Epub 2003 Dec 21.

Abstract

Mesoporous materials are of technological interest because of their applications ranging from catalysts, molecular sieves, separation technology and gas sensors, to batteries and electronics. Here we demonstrate a synthetic methodology that allows us to create an ordered mesoporous nanocomposite with a crystalline oxide framework. We design a 'nanocrystal-glass' configuration to build a nanoarchitecture by means of surfactant-templated self-assembly followed by the controlled in-situ crystallization of materials. Functional nanocrystals are used as the building blocks of ordered mesopores, and the glass phase can act both as the 'glue' between nanocrystals and as a functionalized component in the composites. Specifically, we demonstrate this methodology for ordered mesoporous nanocomposites consisting of electrochemically active nanocrystals and semiconductive glass in the TiO2-P2O5-M(x)O(y) systems (where M is a metal ion). This approach could be applied to many other multicomponent oxides to fabricate mesoporous nanocomposites for numerous uses.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Crystallization / instrumentation*
  • Crystallization / methods*
  • Crystallography / methods*
  • Equipment Design
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Manufactured Materials*
  • Materials Testing*
  • Nanotechnology / instrumentation*
  • Nanotechnology / methods*
  • Porosity
  • Titanium / chemistry*

Substances

  • Macromolecular Substances
  • titanium dioxide
  • Titanium