|
Mesostructured composites constitute a new class of materials that is
formed from an inorganic
precursor and a surfactant by self-assembling. The so formed material has an ordered
hybrid structure with a length scale of 2-50 nm.
The inorganic substance which
commonly is ethyl silicate or an alkoxide is templated by liquid crystal block
co-polymer molecules. The structure is heated to form silicates or other ceramic materials and
the surfactant is pyrolysed leaving a highly structured
mesoporous inorganic material. The mesoporous ceramic material can be
impregnated with organic substances to create new types of functionality.
There are several potential applications such as slow drug release,
functional coatings, various optical applications, in fuel cells, for lab
on a chip or applications in analytical chemistry.
The thesis is
part of a project with the objective to develop new applications and
processing methods for mesoporous materials. Dispersion studies,
rheological measurements, screen-printing, solid freeform fabrication
and material characterization will be included in the work.
|
, 031-772 05 10