Formation of a Silicate L 3 Phase with Continuously Adjustable Pore Sizes

• DOI: 10.1126/science.277.5325.552
• Publication Date: 2002-07-27T09:50:14Z
• Authors: K. M. McGrath; D. M. Dabbs; N. Yao; I. A. Aksay; S. M. Gruner
• Keywords: 02 engineering and technology; 0210 nano-technology

The lyotropic L 3 phase was used as a template to form nanoporous monolithic silicates with continuously adjustable pore sizes. The monolith was optically isotropic and transparent with a nonperiodic network. The pore size was adjusted by a change in the solvent volume fraction rather than by a change of the surfactant. Unlike other silicates, the bicontinuous pores were water-filled; removal of surfactant was not necessary to access the pores. Measured characteristic dimensions were from six to more than 35 nanometers. For a given solvent fraction, x-ray scattering indicated little variation of pore widths, in marked contrast to the polydisperse pores of aerogels.