A Study of Morphology Modulation of Honeycomb Hybrid Films and the Interfacial Behavior of Silica Particles within a Patterned Polymeric Matrix

Abstract

Honeycomb hybrid films are formed using the particle‐assisted breath figure (BF) method. By adding silica particles into the casting polymer solution, regular arrays of micrometer‐sized pores with interior walls selectively decorated by the particles can be readily prepared. The modulation of the geometrical features of the obtained patterned surface is achieved by simply adjusting the casting conditions or the composition of the silica particle/polymer system. By tuning the amount and interfacial properties of the added particles, variable assembly morphologies of the particles within the pore array are obtained and thoroughly analyzed. The effect of the adsorption of the particles on the interfacial tension between water/solvent is also explored. image