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Nasir T, Han Y, Blackman C, Beanland R, Hector AL. Zinc Oxide Nanostructure Deposition into Sub-5 nm Vertical Mesopores in Silica Hard Templates by Atomic Layer Deposition. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 17:2272. [PMID: 38793341 PMCID: PMC11123318 DOI: 10.3390/ma17102272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Nanostructures synthesised by hard-templating assisted methods are advantageous as they retain the size and morphology of the host templates which are vital characteristics for their intended applications. A number of techniques have been employed to deposit materials inside porous templates, such as electrodeposition, vapour deposition, lithography, melt and solution filling, but most of these efforts have been applied with pore sizes higher in the mesoporous regime or even larger. Here, we explore atomic layer deposition (ALD) as a method for nanostructure deposition into mesoporous hard templates consisting of mesoporous silica films with sub-5 nm pore diameters. The zinc oxide deposited into the films was characterised by small-angle X-ray scattering, X-ray diffraction and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tauqir Nasir
- School of Chemistry, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK;
| | - Yisong Han
- Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK; (Y.H.); (R.B.)
| | - Chris Blackman
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK;
| | - Richard Beanland
- Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK; (Y.H.); (R.B.)
| | - Andrew L. Hector
- School of Chemistry, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK;
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2
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Moehl GE, Fitch SD, Cicvarić K, Han Y, Huang R, Rawle J, Shao L, Beanland R, Bartlett PN, Denuault G, Hector AL. Film before aggregates: an operando GISAXS study on electrochemically assisted surfactant assembly. NANOSCALE 2024; 16:4197-4204. [PMID: 38324330 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr05126a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
The process of electrochemically assisted surfactant assembly was followed in real time by grazing incidence small angle X-ray scattering with the aim to deconvolute the formation of mesoporous silica film and unwanted porous particles. The X-ray technique proved to be useful for the characterisation of this process, as it takes place at a very dynamic, solid/liquid interface. This paper shows the electrochemically driven onset and evolution of silica/surfactant structures. Additional control experiments indicate the formation of vertically aligned structures without the use of an electric field, although it seems to be beneficial for increased pore ordering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilles E Moehl
- School of Chemistry, University of Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK.
| | - Samuel D Fitch
- School of Chemistry, University of Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK.
| | - Katarina Cicvarić
- School of Electronics and Computer Science, University of Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Yisong Han
- Department of Physics, University of Warwick, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Ruomeng Huang
- School of Electronics and Computer Science, University of Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Jonathan Rawle
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, Didcot, OX11 0DE, UK
| | - Li Shao
- School of Chemistry, University of Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK.
| | | | | | - Guy Denuault
- School of Chemistry, University of Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK.
| | - Andrew L Hector
- School of Chemistry, University of Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK.
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Scala-Benuzzi M, Fernández SN, Giménez G, Ybarra G, Soler-Illia GJAA. Ordered Mesoporous Electrodes for Sensing Applications. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:24128-24152. [PMID: 37457464 PMCID: PMC10339336 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c02013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemical sensors have become increasingly relevant in fields such as medicine, environmental monitoring, and industrial process control. Selectivity, specificity, sensitivity, signal reproducibility, and robustness are among the most important challenges for their development, especially when the target compound is present in low concentrations or in complex analytical matrices. In this context, electrode modification with Mesoporous Thin Films (MTFs) has aroused great interest in the past years. MTFs present high surface area, uniform pore distribution, and tunable pore size. Furthermore, they offer a wide variety of electrochemical signal modulation possibilities through molecular sieving, electrostatic or steric exclusion, and preconcentration effects which are due to mesopore confinement and surface functionalization. In order to fully exploit these advantages, it is central to develop reproducible routes for sensitive, selective, and robust MTF-modified electrodes. In addition, it is necessary to understand the complex mass and charge transport processes that take place through the film (particularly in the mesopores, pore surfaces, and interfaces) and on the electrode in order to design future intelligent and adaptive sensors. We present here an overview of MTFs applied to electrochemical sensing, in which we address their fabrication methods and the transport processes that are critical to the electrode response. We also summarize the current applications in biosensing and electroanalysis, as well as the challenges and opportunities brought by integrating MTF synthesis with electrode microfabrication, which is critical when moving from laboratory work to in situ sensing in the field of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- María
L. Scala-Benuzzi
- INTI-Micro
y Nanotecnologías, Instituto Nacional
de Tecnología Industrial, Av. Gral. Paz 5445, 1560 San Martín, Buenos
Aires, Argentina
- Instituto
de Nanosistemas, Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías, UNSAM-CONICET, Av. 25 de Mayo 1169, 1650 San Martín, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sol N. Fernández
- INTI-Micro
y Nanotecnologías, Instituto Nacional
de Tecnología Industrial, Av. Gral. Paz 5445, 1560 San Martín, Buenos
Aires, Argentina
- Instituto
de Nanosistemas, Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías, UNSAM-CONICET, Av. 25 de Mayo 1169, 1650 San Martín, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto
de Calidad Industrial (INCALIN-UNSAM), Av. 25 de Mayo y Francia, 1650 San Martín, Provincia
de Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - Gustavo Giménez
- INTI-Micro
y Nanotecnologías, Instituto Nacional
de Tecnología Industrial, Av. Gral. Paz 5445, 1560 San Martín, Buenos
Aires, Argentina
| | - Gabriel Ybarra
- INTI-Micro
y Nanotecnologías, Instituto Nacional
de Tecnología Industrial, Av. Gral. Paz 5445, 1560 San Martín, Buenos
Aires, Argentina
| | - Galo J. A. A. Soler-Illia
- Instituto
de Nanosistemas, Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías, UNSAM-CONICET, Av. 25 de Mayo 1169, 1650 San Martín, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Mohamed NAN, Han Y, Harcourt-Vernon S, Hector AL, Houghton AR, Reid G, Williams DR, Zhang W. Effects of surfactant head group modification on vertically oriented mesoporous silica produced by the electrochemically assisted surfactant assembly method. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2023; 5:3316-3325. [PMID: 37325528 PMCID: PMC10263000 DOI: 10.1039/d3na00031a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Production of mesoporous silica films with vertically oriented pores has been a challenge since interest in such systems developed in the 1990s. Vertical orientation can be achieved by the electrochemically assisted surfactant assembly (EASA) method using cationic surfactants such as cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (C16TAB). The synthesis of porous silicas using a series of surfactants with increasing head sizes is described, from octadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (C18TAB) to octadecyltriethylammonium bromide (C18TEAB). These increase pore size, but the degree of hexagonal order in the vertically aligned pores reduces as the number of ethyl groups increases. Pore accessibility is also reduced with the larger head groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabil A N Mohamed
- School of Chemistry, University of Southampton Highfield Southampton SO17 1BJ UK
| | - Yisong Han
- Department of Physics, University of Warwick Coventry CV4 7AL UK
| | | | - Andrew L Hector
- School of Chemistry, University of Southampton Highfield Southampton SO17 1BJ UK
| | | | - Gillian Reid
- School of Chemistry, University of Southampton Highfield Southampton SO17 1BJ UK
| | - Daryl R Williams
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London SW7 2AZ UK
| | - Wenjian Zhang
- School of Chemistry, University of Southampton Highfield Southampton SO17 1BJ UK
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Ibrahim AA, Kospa DA, Hayes OR, Khder AS, El-Hakam SA, Ahmed AI. Cesium salt of tungstophosphoric acid/mesoporous (zirconia-silica) composite for highly efficient synthesis of 7-hydroxy-4-methyl coumarin and removal of methylene blue. RSC Adv 2023; 13:15243-15260. [PMID: 37213348 PMCID: PMC10194047 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra02235h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The removal of harmful organic dyes from aqueous solutions has drawn the attention of scientists because of the substantial threat they pose to society's worldwide health. Hence, it is crucial to design an adsorbent that is both very effective in removing dyes and has the benefit of being inexpensive. In the present work, Cs salts of tungstophosphoric acid (CPW) supported mesoporous Zr-mSiO2 (mZS) with varying extents of Cs ions have been prepared by a two-step impregnation technique. Accordingly, a lowering in the surface acidity modes was observed after Cs exchanged protons of H3W12O40 and formed salts immobilized on the mZS support. After exchanging the protons with Cs ions, the characterization results revealed that the primary Keggin structure was unaltered. Moreover, the Cs exchanged catalysts had higher surface area than the parent H3W12O40/mZS, suggesting that Cs reacts with H3W12O40 molecules to create new primary particles with smaller sizes possessing inter-crystallite centers with a higher dispersion degree. With an increase in Cs content and thus a decrease in the acid strength and surface acid density, the methylene blue (MB) monolayer adsorption capacities on CPW/mZS catalysts were increased and reached an uptake capacity of 359.9 mg g-1 for Cs3PW12O40/mZS (3.0CPW/mZS). The catalytic formation of 7-hydroxy-4-methyl coumarin was also studied at optimum conditions and it is found that the catalytic activity is influenced by the amount of exchangeable Cs with PW on the mZrS support, which is in turn influenced by the catalyst acidity. The catalyst kept approximately the initial catalytic activity even after the fifth cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amr Awad Ibrahim
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University Al-Mansoura 35516 Egypt +220502390551
| | - Doaa A Kospa
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University Al-Mansoura 35516 Egypt +220502390551
| | - O R Hayes
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University Al-Mansoura 35516 Egypt +220502390551
| | - A S Khder
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University Al-Mansoura 35516 Egypt +220502390551
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Applied Science, Umm Al-Qura University 21955 Makkah Saudi Arabia
| | - S A El-Hakam
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University Al-Mansoura 35516 Egypt +220502390551
| | - Awad I Ahmed
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University Al-Mansoura 35516 Egypt +220502390551
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Innocenzi P. Mesoporous ordered films via self-assembly: trends and perspectives. Chem Sci 2022; 13:13264-13279. [PMID: 36507165 PMCID: PMC9682886 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc04828k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The synthesis of ordered mesoporous films via self-assembly represents one of the main accomplishments in nanoscience. In fact, controlling the complex chemical-physical phenomena that govern the process triggered by the solvent's fast evaporation during film deposition has represented a challenging task. Several years after the first articles on the subject, the research in the field entered a new stage. New advanced applications based on the peculiar properties of mesoporous films are envisaged while basic research is still going on, especially to clarify the mechanism behind self-organization in a spatially defined environment and the physics and chemistry in mesoscale porosity. This review has been dedicated to analysing the main trends in the fields and the perspective for future developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Plinio Innocenzi
- Laboratory of Materials Science and Nanotechnology (LMNT), Department of Biomedical Sciences, CR-INSTM, University of SassariViale San Pietro 43/BSassari 07100Italy,Department of Chemistry, University of United Arab Emirates, Al Ain. United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates
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Nasir T, Shao L, Han Y, Beanland R, Bartlett PN, Hector AL. Mesoporous silica films as hard templates for electrodeposition of nanostructured gold. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2022; 4:4798-4808. [PMID: 36545395 PMCID: PMC9642781 DOI: 10.1039/d2na00512c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Metallic nanostructures have widespread applications in fields including materials science, electronics and catalysis. Mesoporous silica films synthesised by evaporation induced self-assembly and electrochemically assisted self-assembly with pores below 10 nm were used as hard templates for the electrodeposition of Au nanostructures. Electrodeposition conditions were optimised based on pore orientation and size. The growth of nanostructures was initiated at the electrode surface as confirmed by microscopy. The hard templates and Au electrodeposits were characterised electrochemically as well as with X-ray diffraction, small angle scattering and transmission electron microscopy. Finally, mesoporous silica hard templates were removed by hydrofluoric acid etching and stable Au nanoparticles on different electrode surfaces were achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tauqir Nasir
- School of Chemistry, University of Southampton Highfield Southampton SO17 1BJ UK
| | - Li Shao
- School of Chemistry, University of Southampton Highfield Southampton SO17 1BJ UK
| | - Yisong Han
- Department of Physics, University of Warwick Coventry CV4 7AL UK
| | - Richard Beanland
- Department of Physics, University of Warwick Coventry CV4 7AL UK
| | - Philip N Bartlett
- School of Chemistry, University of Southampton Highfield Southampton SO17 1BJ UK
| | - Andrew L Hector
- School of Chemistry, University of Southampton Highfield Southampton SO17 1BJ UK
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He Y, Khan MA, Drake AD, Ladipo F, Rankin SE, Knutson BL. Nanoconfinement Effects on the Transport of Redox Probes in Ionic Liquid-Loaded Mesoporous Silica Thin Films. Ind Eng Chem Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.2c00236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin He
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Kentucky, 177 F.P. Anderson Tower, Lexington 40506, Kentucky, United States
| | - M. Arif Khan
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Kentucky, 177 F.P. Anderson Tower, Lexington 40506, Kentucky, United States
| | - Andrew D. Drake
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Kentucky, 177 F.P. Anderson Tower, Lexington 40506, Kentucky, United States
| | - Folami Ladipo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kentucky, 125 Chemistry/Physics Building, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, United States
| | - Stephen E. Rankin
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Kentucky, 177 F.P. Anderson Tower, Lexington 40506, Kentucky, United States
| | - Barbara L. Knutson
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Kentucky, 177 F.P. Anderson Tower, Lexington 40506, Kentucky, United States
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