Anisotropic siloxane-based monolith prepared in confined spaces

When bicontinuous gels are prepared via sol–gel method in a 2-dimensionally (2D) confined space, the gel skeletons in the vicinity of interface of a mold are elongated perpendicular to the interface. This phenomenon was attributed to the dynamic wetting of polymerizing siloxane phase onto the interface of the mold under gravity. In this paper, we report the successful preparation of monolithic columns with an oriented pillar structure in a variety of 2D confined spaces. Starting from a solution, which consists of methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS), the macroporous structure is prepared in situ by a completely spontaneous process. In the oriented pillar structure, bicontinuous siloxane skeletons deformed or disappeared and most pillars are oriented along the direction of gravity. Gel morphologies with the pillar structure were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). Geometrical information on gel morphologies was numerically derived from the obtained 3D LSCM images.