Issue 21, 2007

Circular mesostructures: solids with novel symmetry properties

Abstract

Mesoporous structures are more than just materials with pores (2 nm < dmeso < 50 nm) bigger than micropores (dmicro < 2 nm). They show new structures, shapes and symmetries that induce new properties and reveal unexpected applications. This work starts with a comprehensive description of one especially-perfect class of mesoporous structures (circulites), exhibiting circularly arranged pores which represent a novel symmetry behavior. It is shown that these structures are, from a more systematic point of view, strictly-defined hierarchies. They can serve as a prototype for the description and formation of hierarchical structures. Here, coiling is used as a general approach to the assembly of hierarchies. The control and design of hierarchical structures are the ultimate aims and have been achieved for this hierarchy type. We show that surfaces can be used for the selection of the hierarchy type, position control and alignment of the resulting particles. A molecular structuring of the support leads to pixel-like, highly-defined growth of a hierarchical arrangement containing 4 hierarchy levels. Finally, the properties of the hierarchies can be very specific, as shown by the guest transport behavior.

Graphical abstract: Circular mesostructures: solids with novel symmetry properties

Article information

Article type
Feature Article
Submitted
12 Jan 2007
Accepted
08 Mar 2007
First published
10 Apr 2007

J. Mater. Chem., 2007,17, 2168-2182

Circular mesostructures: solids with novel symmetry properties

F. Marlow, A. S. G. Khalil and M. Stempniewicz, J. Mater. Chem., 2007, 17, 2168 DOI: 10.1039/B700532F

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Spotlight

Advertisements