In situ X-ray reflectivity and GISAXS study of mesoporous silica films grown from sodium silicate solution precursors

An environmentally friendly and inexpensive silica source, sodium silicate solution, was applied to synthesize a free-standing mesoporous film at the air/liquid interface, exploiting co-assembly of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide polyethylenimine. The effect composition solution used for formation on mesostructure as-synthesized films, characterized by small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), investigated. initial time is estimated change in surface pressure with time. Additionally, possible process mesostructured proposed using data from situ grazing incidence (GISAXS) reflectivity (XRR) measurements. A wormlike structure formed interface reorganized into 2D hexagonal ordered while drying room temperature, after removal air/solution interface. structure, however, could only be retained some extent during calcination, samples where nitrate ions are present solution.