Silica channels

The experimental data obtained in conventional size channels and micro-channels with diameters between 100 pm and 6.0 mm are examined to further elucidate and understand the differences in two-phase flow characteristics between the microchannels and conventional size channels. Since two separate sets of experiments have been conducted using air and water in acrylic channels with diameters between 500 pm and 6.0 mm, and nitrogen gas-water in fused silica channels with diameters between 50 and 500 pm, the authors refer to the former channels as conventional size channels, and the latter channels as micro-channels for convenience. Two different inlet sections were covered in micro-channel experiments, a gradually reducing section and a T-junction. 

Nucleic acids, DNA and RNA, are attractive biopolymers that can be used for biomedical applications [175,176], nanostructure fabrication [177,178], computing [179,180], and materials for electron-conduction [181,182]. Immobilization of DNA and RNA in well-defined nanostructures would be one of the most unique subjects in current nanotechnology. Unfortunately, a silica surface cannot usually adsorb duplex DNA in aqueous solution due to the electrostatic repulsion between the silica surface and polyanionic DNA. However, Fujiwara et al. recently found that duplex DNA in protonated phosphoric acid form can adsorb on mesoporous silicates, even in low-salt aqueous solution [183]. The DNA adsorption behavior depended much on the pore size of the mesoporous silica. Plausible models of DNA accommodation in mesopore silica channels are depicted in Figure 4.20. Inclusion of duplex DNA in mesoporous silicates with larger pores, around 3.8 nm diameter, would be accompanied by the formation of four water monolayers on the silica surface of the mesoporous inner channel (Figure 4.20A), where sufficient quantities of Si—OH groups remained after solvent extraction of the template (not by calcination). 

Fig. 4.20 Plausible models of DNA accommodation in mesopore silica channels (A) within a larger pore (B) within a smaller pore.

Fig. 4.27 Controlled drug release and delivery system using colloid capping of a mesoporous silica channel. Reprinted with permission from [222], C.-Y. Lai etal.J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2003, 725, 4451. 2003, American Chemical Society.

Sel et al.29 demonstrated that the pore shape and pore connectivity play the crucial role in the electrical conductivity of the functionalized silica channels. A sufficient connection between the mesopores is indispensable to allow sufficient functionalization, a facilitated electron hopping in the matrix, and a better accessibility of the electrode surface. 

To study the promotion mechanism of Pt wire/FSM-16 in the PROX reaction, the Pt nanowires were extracted by HF/EtOH treatment from FSM-16, and the wires were again deposited on the external surface of FSM-16 from the ethanol solution. We found that the resulting external Pt wire/FSM-16 catalyst gave low TOFs (>35) and lower CO selectivity (>30%) in the PROX reaction [32]. This implies that the encapsulation of Pt wires in the silica channels of FSM-16 is a key to promote the selective CO oxidation in the PROX reaction. Furthermore, from the structural characterization by XANES, XPS and IR in CO chemisorption... 

One of the first examples of mesoscopic-macroscopic two-dimensional ordering within a structure involved a bacterial superstructure formed from the co-aligned multicellular filaments of Bacillus subtilis that was used to template macroporous fibers of either amorphous or ordered mesoporous silica [82], The interfilament space was mineralized with mesoporous silica and, following removal of the organic, a macroporous framework with 0.5 pm wide channels remained. Mesoporous silica channel walls in this hierarchical structure were curved and approximately 100 nm in thickness. Dense, amorphous walls were obtained by replacing the surfactant-silicate synthesis mixture with a silica sol solution. The difference in the mode of formation between porous and non-porous wall structures was explained in terms of assembly from close-packed mesoporous silica coated bacterial filaments in the former compared to consolidation of silica nanoparticles within interfilament voids in the latter. 

It has also been demonstrated that mesoporous materials are viable candidates for optical devices [90]. Silicon nanoclusters were formed inside optically transparent, free-standing, oriented mesoporous silica film by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of disilane within the spatial confines of the channels. The resulting silicon-silica nanocomposite displayed bright visible photoluminescence and nanosecond lifetimes (Fig. 2.12). The presence of partially polymerized silica channel walls and the retention of the surfactant template within the channels afforded very mild 100-140°C CVD conditions for the formation of... 

Fig. 31. (a) Perspex channel electrode cell. A, Channel unit B, cover plate C, rubber block D, metal plate E, working electrode F, reference electrode G, silicone rubber gasket. From ref. 70. (b) Silica channel electrode cell (unassembled) showing the cover plate with electrode and lead-out wire and the channel unit. 

Migration of siloxane polymer in ordered mesoporous MCM-41 silica channels... 

FIGURE 24. Polymerization of template monomers within a mesoporous silica channel. 

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