Ordered macroporous particles by colloidal templating

Ordered macroporous particles of silica and titania were fabricated by colloidal templating. The colloidal templates were assembled through colloidal crystallization of suspended polystyrene latex sphere particles in aqueous droplets straddling an air-oil interface. The procedures involve first preparing spherical colloidal crystalline particles of polystyrene latex spheres and then infusing them with metal precursor solutions that form silica or titania in the interstices. Finally, calcination decomposes the polystyrene latex spheres, leaving macropores at their sites. The shape of the template was controlled by the presence of additive surfactant or by the action of an applied electric field. Specifically, spherical, concaved disklike, and ellipsoidal colloidal crystals were prepared successfully and used as templates for the fabrication of ordered macroporous particles. The SEM images of the prepared macroporous particles showed that the pores were interconnected and ordered into a hexagonal arrangement.