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Commodity Thermoplastic Elastomer-Enabled Templated Synthesis of Large-Pore Ordered Mesoporous Materials
Anthony Griffin1, Parker Frame1, Yizhi Xiang2
1School of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406, United States.
ACS Omega
|March 31, 2025
Summary
This study introduces a scalable method using thermoplastic elastomer-derived carbon replicas to create large-pore ordered mesoporous materials (OMMs). This approach overcomes limitations of traditional templating methods, enabling cost-effective production of advanced OMMs.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Ordered mesoporous materials (OMMs) are typically made using templating methods.
- Current methods face limitations in pore size control and precursor cost.
- Developing scalable, cost-effective routes for large-pore OMMs is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel, scalable method for fabricating large-pore OMMs.
- To utilize thermoplastic elastomer (TPE)-derived carbon replicas as a versatile template.
- To demonstrate the synthesis of ordered mesoporous silica (OMS) and metal oxides (OMMOs) with tunable properties.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of carbon replicas from various thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs).
- Infiltration of inorganic precursors (e.g., TEOS, tin, titanium oxides) into carbon templates.
- Removal of the carbon template to yield OMMs.
- Systematic investigation of nanostructural evolution.
Main Results:
- Successfully synthesized OMS with relatively large pores using tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS).
- Demonstrated generalizability across different TPEs (varied composition and molecular weight).
- Produced OMMOs (tin and titanium oxides) with pore sizes of 16.0 nm and 19.2 nm, respectively.
- Achieved tunable pore textures and matrix chemistries.
Conclusions:
- The TPE-derived carbon replica method offers a scalable and cost-effective approach for large-pore OMM fabrication.
- This strategy overcomes limitations of conventional templating methods.
- The developed method is versatile for various inorganic matrixes and tunable pore structures.
