The effects of storage temperature and time on deposition characteristics of molecularly templated silica sols, used in synthesis of mesoporous silica films, were investigated. Silica sols, employing an acid catalyzed water/ethanol solvent system with TEOS and surfactant, were prepared and analyzed by silicon-29 NMR over a period of multiple days. Films were produced after specific storage times corresponding to collection of NMR spectral data, and analyzed for thickness and porosity. Sol stability was improved with lower storage temperatures, but results indicated that a shelf life of only a few days was possible at room temperature with the chosen solvent system.
Revised: March 2, 2004 |
Published: September 1, 2002
Citation
Birnbaum J.C., X.S. Li, C.R. Yonker, G.E. Fryxell, and S. Baskaran. 2002.Effect of Solution Chemistry and Speciation on Shelf-life of Silica Sols and Characteristics of Deposited Mesoporous Thin Films.Chemical Communications 19.PNNL-SA-36867.