Structure of mesoporous Al2O3 thin film obtained by surfactant templating

These Ordered mesoporous aluminum oxide films with porosity ranges of 5 to 37% were synthesized by evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA) using surfactant templating. To investigate the effects of mesoporous structure on mechanical properties, changes in pore structure properties including pore distribution and porosity were monitored as functions of surfactant concentration (Pluronic P-123, PEO₂₀PPO₇₀PEO₂₀). The structural properties were analysed using powder X-ray diffractometer and grazing-incidence small-angle x-ray scattering in PLS 4C2 beamline. These alumina films had body-centered cubic pore structure or random-oriented pore structure depending on the surfactant concentration used, and different mechanical properties were obtained depending on the pore structure. Therefore, a control of pore structure in mesoporous materials is the important factor to strengthen the porous structural materials.