Mesoscopic 2-D ordering of inorganic/organic hybrid materials

Organic-inorganic hybrid materials with micronsized (i.e., mesoscopic) netw ork structures are expected to have interesting properties and applications in various fields, such as separation, catalysis, biomineralization, or qu antum optics. Here a new method is introduced to produce thin films of two- dimensionally ordered honeycomb structures. Casting a chloroform solution o f a mixture of organic amphiphiles with metal acetylacetonates or -alkoxide s at high atmospheric humidity leads to the formation of a closely packed l ayer of water droplets on top of the organic solvent. The water acts as a t emplate, After evaporation of the chloroform and the water, a honeycomb str ucture remains. Pyrolysis of the metal alkoxides films lead to the formatio n of microporous metal oxide (e.g., anatase, one of the catalytic active ti tanium oxides). (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. AU rights reserved.