Surface patterned porous films by convection-assisted dynamic self-assembly of zeolite nanoparticles

This study demonstrates for the first time that porous zeolite films with s urface patterns such as knotted-rope web and wrinkled honeycomb can be obta ined by convection-assisted dynamic self-assembly of zeolite nanoparticles. The study also shows that an appropriate dispersant and the presence of ze olite nanoparticles with a specific range of particle sizes in the colloida l suspension are critical for pattern formation. The patterned zeolite film s have a well-defined bimodal pore size distribution (i.e., 0.55 and 2.6 nm ) with a high Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area of 680-750 m(2)/g and are attractive for potential applications in fields such as thin film catalysi s, adsorption separation, chemical sensor arrays, and components in microel ectronic devices.