The anodic porous alumina membranes with a definite pore diameter and aspect ratio were used as templates to synthesize polymer pillared layer structures. The pillared polymer was produced in the template membrane pores, and the layer on the template surfaces. Rigid cured epoxy resin, polystyrene and soft hydrogel were chosen to confirm the methodology. The pillars were in the form of either tubes or fibers, which were controlled by the alumina membrane pore surface wettability. The structural features were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy results.
Opal hydrogels could be synthesized with polymer inverse opal template. A pH responsive opal N-iso- propylacrylamide/acrylic acid copolymerized hydrogel was prepared as an example. The ordered structure and response to pH were investigated. Through the sol-gel process of tetrabutyl titanate, opal titania was obtained with the opal hydrogel template.
Transparent mesoporous silica coatings were achieved by conventional sol-gel process. The obtained coatings display permanent supra- amphiphilicity, transparent appearance and good wetting property with very fast spread rate. Incorpo- ration of functional materials such as crystalline tita- nia nanoparticles into the coatings was also carried out without affecting the transparency and supra- amphiphilicity.
