Also of interest
Physics, chemistry and biology of Soft Matter
Paper
J. Mater. Chem., 1997, 7, 1075 - 1087, DOI: 10.1039/a700027h
A general template-based method for the preparation of nanomaterials
John C. Hulteen and Charles R. Martin
This article reviews a general template-based approach for the preparation of nanomaterials. The method involves the synthesis of a desired material within the pores of a nanoporous membrane. We have termed this approach
template synthesis
because the pores within
these nanoporous membranes act as templates for the synthesis of
nanostructures of the desired material. Because the pores within these
membranes are cylindrical and of uniform diameter, monodisperse
nanocylinders of the desired material are obtained. Depending on the
chemistry of the pore wall and material, these nanocylinders may be either
hollow (a tubule) or solid (a fibril or nanowire). This template process
will be shown to be a very general approach in the fabrication of
nanotubes and fibrils composed of a variety of materials including
polymers, metals, semiconductors, carbons, and other
materials.
