Thin Silica‐Based Microsheets with Controlled Geometry

A high demand for materials with defined geometry and size is required in a wide range of fields. Inorganic compounds, especially silica‐based, arise as a cheap source and chemically flexible for the purpose. Silica display unique properties, like easy functionalization and good optical features mak...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of inorganic chemistry 2020-05, Vol.2020 (17), p.1574-1578
Main Authors: Maciel, Marta M., Patrício, Sónia G., Borges, João, Levkin, Pavel A., Correia, Tiago R., Mano, João F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biomimetics
High throughput
High‐fidelity shape
Hydrophobic surfaces
Hydrophobicity
Inorganic chemistry
Inorganic compounds
Inorganic materials
Miniaturization
Optical properties
Silica microsheets
Silicon dioxide
Sol-gel processes
Sol‐gel process
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Summary:A high demand for materials with defined geometry and size is required in a wide range of fields. Inorganic compounds, especially silica‐based, arise as a cheap source and chemically flexible for the purpose. Silica display unique properties, like easy functionalization and good optical features making an interesting material to manipulate. In this work, we developed a method to create thin silica microsheets with defined size and high‐fidelity shape using superhydrophobic‐hydrophilic microarrays. These microstructures were produced through sol‐gel process using biomimetic superhydrophobic surfaces decorated with wettable spots. The results confirm the manufacture of porous silica microstructures with defined design (squares and circles) and thickness around 7 µm. The methodology applied in this work enables the high throughput fabrication of shaped silica materials in a single step, unlocking an extensive number of applications in areas that require miniaturization, like microelectronics or in fields like sensing and biomedicine. A novel and simple technology for producing silica microsheets with a defined geometry was developed using superhydrophobic‐hydrophilic microarrays. A sol‐gel process was used to produce silica microsheets with a high‐fidelity microstructure.
ISSN:1434-1948
1099-0682
DOI:10.1002/ejic.202000096