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Mesoscopic objects, porous layers and nanocomposites - possibilities of sol-gel chemistry

Ireneusz Piwoński 

University of Łódź, Department of Chemical Technology and Environmental Protection, Pomorska 163, Łódź 90-236, Poland

Abstract

Sol-gel as versatile technique commonly used in materials’ engineering offers the  broad possibility of preparation of many metal oxides, composites, organic-inorganic hybrids and other materials in a form of mesoscopic objects (fibers, nanorodes,  nanoparticles) as well as thin structured films, porous materials and nanocomposites.

            In this approach illustration of these possibilities is presented. Silica nanorodes prepared with the use of various templates is shown as an example of the synthesis of elongated ceramic materials.

Another part concerns the preparation of titania and zirconia systems in the form of nonporous or porous ultrathin layers deposited in dip-coating procedure. The material morphology including porosity level and pore-size was controlled by application of appropriate type and concentration of surfactants or polymer beads which served as template. These types of materials may be applied as sensors, catalysts, low-k materials, photonic crystals, etc.

Furthermore, the synthesis of nanocomposite systems based on titania or alumina containing hard ceramic nanoparticles (Al2O3, ZrO2) is presented. Application of nanoparticles considerably enhances the mechanical and tribological properties of the material.

Last part of this study is devoted to the preparation of titania nanoparticles, which are considered as promising material in such applications as solar energy conversion, photocatalysis, biomedical systems etc. Here, titania nanoparticles were prepared and their size was investigated using microscopic techniques.

In all experiments mainly Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) was used as flexible technique of surface and nanoobject imaging.

 

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Related papers

Presentation: Oral at E-MRS Fall Meeting 2008, Workshop, by Ireneusz Piwoński
See On-line Journal of E-MRS Fall Meeting 2008

Submitted: 2008-05-19 13:35
Revised:   2009-06-07 00:48