For the first time, we demonstrate an ability to grow and control vertical mesoporous channels (pore sizes of 3-6 nm) on substrates via self-assemblies of amphiphilic templates incorporated with silica precursors below critical micelle concentration (CMC). Cooperative assembly was confirmed by in-situ SAXS and ex-situ GISAXs, indicating a formation of highly ordered 2-D hexagonal orderings (p6mm) by adding co-solvents into an anisotropic phase.  Vertical cylindrical micelles between water and substrates are rationally aggregated at the interfaces that allow us to control the lateral orientations (in-plane) and vertical thicknesses (out-of-plane) of mesoporous channels on various substrates. By adding simple co-solvents, we are able to manipulate the assemblies of these amphiphilic templates at universal substrate interfaces without a design for molecular architectures or an engagement to extreme synthetic conditions in costly techniques.

Growth of vertical mesoporous silica channels via cooperative assemblies at interfaces

246th National Meeting (2013)

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