Preparation of transparent mesoporous silica films by a rapid solvent evaporation method

Abstract

Thin films of silica-alkyltrimethylammonium (alkyl=decyl, dodecyl, tetradecyl, hexadecyl and octadecyl) chloride mesostructured materials are synthesized by spin coating the precursor solutions containing prehydrolyzed tetramethoxysilane and alkyltrimethylammonium salts. The films have been converted to transparent porous silica films by calcining in air. Cationic dyes, Methylene Blue, 1,1-diethyl-2,2-cyanine, tetrakis(N-methyl-4-pyridinio)porphyrin, have been adsorbed on the porous films to give colored films. The preparation of the self-standing film of the silica-hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride mesostructured material by using poly(methyl methacrylate) coated glass substrate is also reported.