Career Program: Use of Flow and Magnetic Fields for the Preparation of Macroscopically Oriented Mesoporous MolecularSieve Films for Device Applications

CTS - 9624613 Michael Tsapatsis U of Massachusetts Amherst ABSTRACT The proposal research deals with the preparation of mesoporous molecular sieve films using a surfactant liquid crystalline template. The existence of liquid crystalline mesostructure allows for a processing strategy similar to polymeric liquid crystals. An induced macroscopic ordering of the mesostructure may result in macroscopic perfection of the inorganic structure. Flow and magnetic fields will be used to induce ordering and obtain oriented mesoporous molecular sieve membranes and films. Spectroscopic and microscopic characterization of the film structure will be performed and related to the processing conditions. The potential impact to the project is strong in separations, catalysis, sensors, and advanced electronic, magnetic and optical materials. The educational plan includes new undergraduate and graduate courses in materials characterization and mathematical modeling. Undergraduates will be involved in research and trained to formulate and solve open-ended problems.