Micro-imaging of liquid-vapor phase transition in nano-channels

Mesoporous silicon accommodating structured nano-channels is employed as a host material for recording the evolution of liquid vapor phase transitions in nanoporous materials upon molecular adsorption and desorption. Analysis is based on the application of micro-imaging via IR microscopy revealing the spatial-temporal dependence of guest concentrations within the material as a function of the chosen pressure steps. In this way, phase transitions become observable in the context of their local environment and may be correlated with the pore architecture by immediate experimental evidence. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.