Mesoporous 2D hexagonal oxide films grown through dip casting or spin casting methods all have one major feature in common. They all have order that is parallel to the substrate. We seek to study methods for breaking that rule. To do this, we use a substrate patterned with hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions in order to force the liquid crystal into a conformation that is normal to the substrate. This method produces vertical oriented pores, open to the surface of the film. We have called these materials ordered mesoporous titania directed ordered mesoporous silica, or Oberon-1.
Another project involves depositing metal into mesoporous silica thin films using supercritical fluid CO2. Immediate focus includes complete reduction of a Cu precursor and adequate film survival at high temperature and pressure. Film structures are examined using X-ray diffraction and metal incorporation verfied by uv-vis absorption. Upon success, thermoelectric experiments may follow.