Ordered mesoporous materials via nano-building block approach.
Ordered mesoporous materials have been synthesized using molecular/ionic precursors as starting materials and surfactants/block-copolymers as templates, in general. Instead of molecular/ionic precursors, single-nm-scale nanoparticles were employed as nano-building blocks (NBBs) towards synthesis of ordered mesoporous materials. The NBB approach allows synthesis of “crystalline” and “mesoporous” materials, which is difficult to obtain through conventional molecular approach. We have first reported to synthesize single-nm-scale layered hydroxide crystals and their use as NBBs towards ordered mesoporous structures. Subsequent studies focus on the size effect of both NBBs and template block-copolymers and functional improvement of hydroxide materials by introducing the mesoporous structures.
Nanoscale 2021; J. Phys. Chem. B 2021; J. Sol-Gel Sci. Technol. 2019; Chem. Mater. 2019; Chem. Mater. 2016
Synthesis of highly functional nanoparticles.
Generally, nanoparticles show high specific area, which gives benefits toward applications utilizing surface functions. In the case of layered hydroxides showing functions such as electrochemical activity and catalytic property, nanoparticulate design enables to maximize using intrinsic functions. In our study, electrochemical response of Ni and Co-based layered hydroxide nanoparticles/nanocomposites and activity of Ni-Al-based layered hydroxide nanocatalysts have been studied.
Colloids Surf. A 2021; Sci. Rep. 2021; J. Mater. Chem. A 2019.; ACS Nano 2016
Meso/macroporous monoliths composed of nanomaterials.
Although nanomaterials show unique functions different from bulk materials, it is hard to handle nanomaterials directly due to their small size. It is expected to synthesize structured bulk materials, such as porous materials, composed of nanomaterials for handling towards applications. We have developed synthetic methods of pore size controllable meso/macroporous monoliths composed of layered hydroxide nanoparticles/nanosheets through controlling assembly behavior of nanoparticles/nanosheets by tuning interaction and/or using surface modifiers.
Langmuir 2021; Langmuir 2016; RSC Adv. 2015; RSC Adv. 2014; J. Mater. Chem. A 2013